Dealmakers’ Guide to LBOs: Structuring Wins in Private Equity

This book is organized into ten chapters, each focusing on a critical element of the LBO process:

• Foundations of LBOs – Understanding leverage, risk, and the evolution of the market
• Target Selection and Investment Thesis – Identifying businesses suited for leveraged structures
• Capital Structure and Financial Engineering – Designing debt, mezzanine, and equity stacks
• Due Diligence and Risk Assessment – Evaluating operational, financial, and debt-related risks
• LBO Modeling and Valuation – Building robust models and stress-testing assumptions
• Deal Execution and Financing – Navigating competitive processes, banks, and documentation
• Portfolio Management – Driving operational improvements and cash flow discipline
• Navigating Cycles and Distress – Understanding macroeconomic risks, covenant breaches, and restructuring
• Exit Planning and Realizing Value – Choosing routes, timing, and maximizing multiple expansion
• Building a Repeatable LBO Playbook – Institutionalizing knowledge, scaling processes, and sustaining performance

Each chapter combines conceptual frameworks, practical guidance, and actionable strategies that professionals can apply immediately. Beyond financial metrics, the book emphasizes holistic success, including operational performance, governance, and long-term value creation.