Americas Morning Summary October 13, 2009Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research
Focus Items
Americas Research Roundtable: A perfect storm for M&A 1
Anthony Carpet
(New York): anthony.carpet@gs.com, (212) 902-6758Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Laura Conigliaro
(New York): laura.conigliaro@gs.com, (212) 902-5926Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Robert D. Boroujerdi
(New York): robert.boroujerdi@gs.com, (212) 902-9158Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Daniel Harris, CFA
(New York): daniel.harris@gs.com, (212) 357-7512Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Marc Irizarry
(New York): marc.irizarry@gs.com, (212) 902-4175Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Deep Mehta
(Bangalore): deep.mehta@gs.com, (212) 934-6322Goldman Sachs India SPL
Monetizing the M&A revival
In this report we take a deep dive into M&A in light of the current environment. In addition to identifying abasket of the highest probability M&A targets within our coverage (GSRHACQN) we have selected a set of names that either facilitate, benefit or have the highest potential value as targets. Included are CL-Buy-ratedBlackstone, Citrix, Lazard and WellCare as well as Buy-rated Devon Energy, Health Net and Red Hat.
Capital markets increasingly open
More benign and accommodative capital markets should provide a solid underpinning for M&A activity givenstrong correlations to the price of credit. We see tightening spreads and increased issuance as the keycornerstones for M&A, private equity and LBO activity.
Drivers are in place
While 2008 and 2009 YTD have been weak periods for M&A activity, we believe that a combination of risingglobal GDP, improving equity sentiment and CEO confidence augur a significant pickup in M&A into 2010.
Valuation inexpensive, IRRs compelling
Despite the rally off March lows, stocks look inexpensive relative to historical deal multiples. Over 40% of our covered universe (excluding financials) has 2010 P/E values in the bottom quintile relative to their 10-year history, with close to 25% in the bottom decile historically.
Cash-rich balance sheets ripe for use
Companies accumulated historically high cash balances over the past twelve months as they sought stabilityin the face of an uncertain macroeconomic environment. For our covered universe, ex-financials, totalcash/EV has gone from 5.7% in 4Q07 to 9.0% as of 2Q09.
Private equity likely to thaw
While capital formation for new private equity funds remains challenged, we are encouraged by an estimated$0.5 trillion in "dry powder" available during a period of historically strong returns (IRRs of P/E vintagesformed around market disruptions average 1,000-bp-higher returns) and an expected uptick in harvestingactivity and LP distributions (sponsor backed IPOs filings highest since 2Q08).
United States: Specialty Finance: Consumer Finance: UDAPtation 2
Brian Foran
(New York): brian.foran@gs.com, (212) 855-9908Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Richard Ramsden
(New York): richard.ramsden@gs.com, (212) 357-9981Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Adriana Kalova
(New York): adriana.kalova@gs.com, (212) 902-1913Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Quan Mai
(New York): quan.mai@gs.com, (212) 357-4371Goldman, Sachs & Co.
Cards—adapting to the new world order
The card industry is undergoing UDAPtation—i.e., adapting to a new environment where fees are regulated(UDAP) and legislated (CARD Act). The outlook may be more positive than investors appreciate, given
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