M&A: Concepts and Theories

About

Offering an intensive introduction to the complex world of M&A, this course will provide an invaluable foundation in strategy, regulation, finding a deal, corporate valuation, and more.

You will learn about buyer strategies, how M&A can increase business value, and how to start the acquisition process, as well as identify successful acquisitions.

Taught by instructors with decades of experience on Wall Street, this M&A course will equip analysts and associates with the skills they need to rise to employment in the M&A field. Additionally, directors and managers who have transitioned, or hope to transition, to M&A from other areas such as equities or fixed income can use this course to eliminate skill gaps.

This course is part of the New York Institute of Finance's popular Mergers & Acquisitions Professional Certificate program.

What you will learn

• Recognize the common motivations for acquisitions and the reasons many are unsuccessful.
• Identify the methods of structuring a business acquisition.
• Evaluate the intrinsic and relative valuation methods for target companies.

Skills you learn

• Acquisition Processes
• Finance
• Equities
• Mergers And Acquisitions
• Fixed Income
• Business Valuation

Syllabus

Session 1: Overview and Buyer Strategies

• Lesson 1: Global M&A
• Lesson 2: Emerging Market M&A Issues
• Lesson 3: The Buyer’s Viewpoint
• Lesson 4: Three Ways M&A can Increases Value
• Lesson 5: Buy vs. Build Synergies
• Case Studies

Session 2: Finding a Deal

• Lesson 1: Starting the Acquisition Process
• Lesson 2: Characteristics of Successful Acquisitions
• Lesson 3: Key Risks and Failed Deals: Case Study
• Case Studies

Session 3: Pricing the Deal

• Lesson 1: Valuation: Approaches and Methodologies
• Lesson 2: Discounted Cash Flow Approach
• Lesson 3: Public Companies
• Lesson 4: Comparable Acquisitions and Leveraged Buyout Valuation
• Case Studies

Session 4: Special Valuation Cases

• Lesson 1: Emerging Markets
• Lesson 2: Money-losing or Erratic Track Records
• Lesson 3: Industry Specific Multiples
• Lesson 4: Natural Resource Companies
• Lesson 5: Speculative Hi-tech Firms
• Lesson 6: Sum of the parts Companies with Several Different Business Lines
• Lesson 7: M&A Free Cash Flow Analysis
• Lesson 8: Premiums and Discounts
• Case Studies

Auto Summary

Kick-start your finance career with "M&A: Concepts and Theories" on edX. This 5-week Business & Management course provides a solid foundation in mergers and acquisitions. Available in Professional and Starter subscriptions, it’s perfect for those looking to gain awareness in the field.