The German Private Equity Market An Analysis Of Its Development

Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,3, University of applied sciences, Düsseldorf, language: English, abstract: In this work the development of the young Private Equity market in Germany is analysed in order to form the base of comprehensive understanding of the market today. In the last decades, the private equity (PE) market in Germany has witnessed waves of rise and fall. But it surpassed, by the end of 2017, all the records of German PE history. According to Deutsche Beteiligungs (DBAG), the amount of transactions in the mid-sized businesses in the German market dramatically increased and hit €4.4 billion in 2017 which was the highest during the last 15 years. But in contrast, the competition in the German market has been recently high with a steady number of companies which led to high prices and overvalued companies. PE firms target the mid-sized businesses since they are more likely to accept financial investors than bank loans or credit lines. However, this problem can now be countered with the help of PE in the context of alternative corporate financing. It should be noted that PE business has been a concern of German politics and businesses since the 1960s where the financial system was basically based on banks which is not appropriate for the development of PE industry. The government intervention was the base to build a stronger PE industry away from bank-based financial systems. Recently, the stock market segment was a key driver for the dynamic development of PE market. The price falls and the collapse of the overheated and overvalued companies were also clearly felt in the PE segment and generated a great deal over scepticism on the capital markets.

This study evaluates the value generation potential of private equity for German mid-cap companies. A discussion of the private equity industry and the analysis of the value generation levers serve as a basis to further explore private equity value generation in the German market. First, the special features of German mid-cap companies are examined with a special focus on their financing needs. Second, the German private equity market is introduced and its differentiating features are revealed. The comparison of the findings assesses the general suitability of private equity as a financing option for German mid-cap companies and suggests that many mid-cap companies are not (yet) suited for private equity investments. Finally, the applicability of the identified value generation levers on the German mid-cap segment is analyzed with the help of a conceptual framework in order to evaluate the value generation potential. The results show that the traditional value generation levers are applicable but have to be adjusted with respect to national differences. Private equity associations have to specifically address the strong social considerations in the German business culture and the traditional unity of management, ownership, and supervision in the mid-cap segment in order to realize high rates of return. Anecdotal and recent empirical evidence indicates the relevance of many theoretical conclusions.

This study evaluates the value generation potential of private equity for German mid-cap companies. A discussion of the private equity industry and the analysis of the value generation levers serve as a basis to further explore private equity value generation in the German market. First, the special features of German mid-cap companies are examined with a special focus on their financing needs. Second, the German private equity market is introduced and its differentiating features are revealed. The comparison of the findings assesses the general suitability of private equity as a financing option for German mid-cap companies and suggests that many mid-cap companies are not (yet) suited for private equity investments. Finally, the applicability of the identified value generation levers on the German mid-cap segment is analyzed with the help of a conceptual framework in order to evaluate the value generation potential. The results show that the traditional value generation levers are applicable but have to be adjusted with respect to national differences. Private equity associations have to specifically address the strong social considerations in the German business culture and the traditional unity of management, ownership, and supervision in the mid-cap segment in order to realize high rates of return. Anecdotal and recent empirical evidence indicates the relevance of many theoretical conclusions.

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2011 im Fachbereich BWL - Investition und Finanzierung, FOM Essen, Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management gemeinnützige GmbH, Hochschulleitung Essen früher Fachhochschule (-), Veranstaltung: Investment & Controlling, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: The majority of companies are in need of investment capital to pursue their growth strategies. Also, a large number of companies only display a low equity ratio and as a result possess bad credit worthiness. In this regard, Private Equity represents a good alternative solution providing investment capital. It allows companies to make investments to solidify or improve their position among the competitors on the market. In times where banks and credit institutions exercise restraints, the interest of companies in Private Equity even increases. Nevertheless, particularly in Germany the growing importance of Private Equity is accompanied by great controversy. One group argues that often the Private Equity investors in their function as majority shareholders neglect the sustainable development of their portfolio companies in favor of their temporary value increase. On the other hand numerous studies indicate that companies benefit from Private Equity investments. According to these studies, companies, which have entered cooperation with Private Equity investors, comparatively, display stronger revenue growth and productivity and also generate more jobs.1 In this respect, the quality of the partnership between the portfolio company and the Private Equity investment association is a decisive success factor and must not be underestimated. Private Equity deals only generate win-win-situations if both parties are professionally engaged. Lack of preparation can either lead to a one-sided relationship – leaving one party at a disadvantage –, or even to a bad overall business, in which both sides incur losses. This paper takes the perspective of each party and points out which specific aspects they have to consider in order having good chances of benefiting from a Private Equity deal. This leads to the analysis of several critical stages within the investment process: investment stages in general, transaction process, due diligence, business valuation and exit. Prior the meaning, history and significance of Private Equity are described.

Studienarbeit aus dem Jahr 2011 im Fachbereich BWL - Investition und Finanzierung, FOM Essen, Hochschule für Oekonomie & Management gemeinnützige GmbH, Hochschulleitung Essen früher Fachhochschule (-), Veranstaltung: Investment & Controlling, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: The majority of companies are in need of investment capital to pursue their growth strategies. Also, a large number of companies only display a low equity ratio and as a result possess bad credit worthiness. In this regard, Private Equity represents a good alternative solution providing investment capital. It allows companies to make investments to solidify or improve their position among the competitors on the market. In times where banks and credit institutions exercise restraints, the interest of companies in Private Equity even increases. Nevertheless, particularly in Germany the growing importance of Private Equity is accompanied by great controversy. One group argues that often the Private Equity investors in their function as majority shareholders neglect the sustainable development of their portfolio companies in favor of their temporary value increase. On the other hand numerous studies indicate that companies benefit from Private Equity investments. According to these studies, companies, which have entered cooperation with Private Equity investors, comparatively, display stronger revenue growth and productivity and also generate more jobs.1 In this respect, the quality of the partnership between the portfolio company and the Private Equity investment association is a decisive success factor and must not be underestimated. Private Equity deals only generate win-win-situations if both parties are professionally engaged. Lack of preparation can either lead to a one-sided relationship - leaving one party at a disadvantage -, or even to a bad overall business, in which both sides incur losses. This paper takes the perspective of each party and points out which specific aspects they have to cons

Seminar paper from the year 2013 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,7, University of applied sciences, Cologne, course: International Investment & Controlling, language: English, abstract: Private Equity plays an increasingly important role in the financing of a wide range of businesses. Over the past 20 years, private equity has been on of the fastest growing markets for corporate finance. One of the reasons the private equity industry exist is that, in many cases, companies have needs for capital which, for various reasons, cannot be met from the public markets. Investors that provide capital to private equity funds invest in an asset class that entails relatively high-risk and high illiquidity in what remains a largely unregulated market. Planning how to exit an investment is just as important as preparing to make one because a merger adds value only if synergy, better management, or other changes make the two firms worth more together than apart. The target companies are supported with accountants, lawyers, investment bankers and other specialists. Especially Start-up companies are often characterised by negative cash flows and demand high investments. PE gives the chance to reduce the financial gap between selffinancing and stock exchange listing and can also help to improve the equity ratio. Another advantage of PE for target companies is the increase of equity and an improved balance sheet structure. Regarding to that, the negotiating position is strengthened towards creditors, the credit rating is improved and the financial room for investments increases. The main disadvantage of PE for target companies is the weakened influence of the initial shareholders. Especially different strategically views between those two groups might be difficult to solve. Due to the fact of the high risk, from the investors’ perspective, PE is a very interesting form of investment. Especially under diversification aspects the investment in PE funds make sense, because the investors offer investment opportunities that can not be replicated in the financial market and on top of that have a low correlation with other asset class. The firms standard practice of buying businesses and then, after steering them through a transition of rapid performance improvement and selling them is at the core of private equity’s success.

Private Equity experienced dramatic flutuations in investment activity in line with the turbulences of financial markets in recent years. Claudia Sommer develops a theoretical framework of factors driving private equity investment activity and the resulting performance implications. Using a data set of more than 40,000 European transations between 1990 and 2009 she applies a variety of econometrial approaches and shows how neoclassical aspects, information asymmetries, agency conflicts, and market timing contribute to the dynamics in the private equity market. In a performance analysis of more than 1,300 European private equity funds, she reveals how fund performance is linked to investment activity. ​

Seminar paper from the year 2018 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,3, University of applied sciences, Düsseldorf, language: English, abstract: This work focuses on the private equity (PE) investments within SMEs. Fundamentals of private equity investments are reviewed in the second chapter. This includes definition and product categories of private equity and how PE business is organized as well as the history of PE market in Germany. The third chapter analyses the process of the PE deals including the different phases as well as the exit strategies. The last chapter critically analyse the PE deals from the point of view of the investor and the targeted company before closing with the outlook and conclusion. In the last decades, the private equity market in Germany has witnessed waves of rise and fall. But it surpassed, by the end of 2017, all the records of German PE history. According to Deutsche Beteiligungs (DBAG), the amount of transactions in the mid-sized businesses in the German market dramatically increased and hit €4.4 billion in 2017 which was the highest during the last 15 years. But in contrast, the competition in the German market has been recently high with a steady number of companies which led to high prices and overvalued companies. PE firms target the mid-sized businesses since they are more likely to accept financial investors than bank loans or credit lines. However, this problem can now be countered with the help of PE in the context of alternative corporate financing. It should be noted that PE business has been a concern of German politics and businesses since the 1960s where the financial system was basically based on banks which is not appropriate for the development of PE industry. The government intervention was the base to build a stronger PE industry away from bank-based financial systems. Recently, the stock market segment was a key driver for the dynamic development of PE market. The price falls and the collapse of the overheated and overvalued companies were also clearly felt in the PE segment and generated a great deal over scepticism on the capital markets.