Optimism Soars for Business Sales in 2017 According To The Market Pulse Quarterly Report

Despite Increased Confidence, Sellers Lacked an Intentional, Proactive Exit Strategy in Q4 2016

LOS ANGELES, February 16, 2017 – Nearly three-quarters (74 percent) of business brokers— professionals who aid in the buying and selling of businesses—expect an increase in new clients coming to market in 2017, according to the quarterly Market Pulse Report published by the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), M&A Source and the Pepperdine Private Capital Market Project.

Compared to one year ago, brokers are feeling an increased sense of optimism regarding closing rates, business exit opportunities and business conditions. When asked at the end of 2016 about their outlook for 2017, three-quarters of respondents said they expected a net increase in new deals, compared to 60 percent who expressed optimism for 2016.

“Small business optimism is on the rise following the election,” said Craig Everett, PhD, assistant professor of finance and director of the Pepperdine Private Capital Markets Project. “If President Trump is successful in fulfilling his campaign pledges to lower taxes and create a more business-friendly climate, we should see increased activity in the market. If the corporate tax rate drops from 35 percent to 15 percent, as he has proposed, businesses will have more capital to push into expansion and acquisition.”

The number one reason sellers go to market consistently remains retirement. In Q4 2016, respondents were asked for the first time how many of their clients had planned for a business sale. Responses showed that fewer than half (43 percent) had an intentional, proactive exit strategy.

“We are seeing that many retirement sales are rushed, rather than thoughtful, planned events,” said Lou Vescio, CBI, M&AMI, Principal, Coastal Business Intermediaries, Inc., IBBA Chair. “My concern is that business owners who do not plan ahead for their retirement typically get a much lower value because they decide to quickly sell their business due to high emotion, pressure or burnout.”

The Market Pulse Report compares conditions for businesses being sold on Main Street (values of $0-$2MM) to those being sold in the Lower Middle Market (values of $2-$50MM). The Q4 2016 survey was completed January 1- January 15, 2017 by 350 business brokers and M&A advisors, representing 39 states.

About International Business Brokers Association (IBBA) and the M&A Source
Founded in 1983, IBBA is the largest non-profit association specifically formed to meet the needs of people and firms engaged in various aspects of business brokerage and mergers and acquisitions. The IBBA is a trade association of business brokers providing education, conferences, professional designations, and networking opportunities. For more information about IBBA, visit the website at www.ibba.org or follow the IBBA on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Founded in 1991, The M&A Source promotes professional development of merger and acquisition professionals so that they may better serve their clients’ needs, and maximize public awareness of professional intermediary services available for middle market merger and acquisition transactions. For more information about the M&A Source visit www.masource.org, or follow The M&A Source on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter.

About the Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management
A leader in cultivating entrepreneurialism and digital innovation, Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management focuses on the real-world application of MBA-level business concepts. The Graziadio School provides a student-focused, globally oriented education through part-time, full-time, and executive MBA programs at five Southern California locations and at Silicon Valley and Santa Barbara campuses, as well as through online and hybrid formats. In addition, the Graziadio School offers a variety of master of science programs, a bachelor of science in management degree-completion program, and the Presidents and Key Executives MBA, as well as executive education certificate programs. Follow the Graziadio School on Facebook, Twitter at @GraziadioSchool, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

Contact:
Pepperdine Graziadio School of Business and Management
Lisa Perry
Director, Marketing and Communications
310.568.2314 [email protected]

or

IBBA
Scott M. Bushkie, Marketing Chair
Principal, Cornerstone Business Services, Inc. (920) 436-9890 [email protected]

Mollie Horning

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