Operating at the Intersection of Technology and the Capital Markets
Category: Leadership
The Bank of England will likely institute an emergency rate hike of 25-50 BPS today in our opinion as the Pound plummets against the USD (FX Headwinds Will Persist Into 2023). What is fascinating is that the fiscal side loosened policy last week as U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss pushed tax cuts. Conversely, the monetary … Continue reading The U.K. Is Not In An Enviable Position
We were critical of Adobe's (ADBE) acquisition of Figma for a few reasons. These elements can be applied to the analysis of any M&A transaction. Valuation: 50x revenue is a rich valuation no matter how you slice it. I don't care how unique Figma's product offerings may be or how competitive the deal may have … Continue reading Analyzing an M&A Transaction
As a follow-up to our two recent Adobe (tkr: ADBE) articles that were highly critical of Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen as it relates to the Figma acquisition, we highlight for you Adobe's Board of Directors who signed off on the Figma deal and its outrageous 50x forward ARR valuation. Here is Adobe's "go along to … Continue reading Adobe’s Oversized Board Nodded Its Collective Head In Approval As It Relates To The Figma Deal
"G" is the most important letter in "ESG" investing. "G" or "Governance" refers to the men and women who comprise corporate management teams and Boards. Management - the CEO in particular - matters a great deal as to the long-term success of any company. Too frequently CEOs and Boards put Executive Compensation ahead of corporate … Continue reading CEOs That Put Themselves First
Too frequently companies execute M&A transactions not because a given acquisition strengthens the acquiring company's competitive position or enhances customer value, but because the acquired company could help boost CEO compensation of the acquirer by driving some combination of higher total revenue growth, higher EBITDA, higher bookings and/or a higher stock price. Today's announcement that … Continue reading When CEO Compensation Is The Primary M&A Driver
Meta Platforms (META), has serious challenges in front of it: Apple's permission-based Ad tracking has hit META and other iOS app developers hard. Apple's iOS change is the primary reason why META's average price per Ad dropped 14% in the June quarter. This reality is not going away and META would be smart to find … Continue reading The Metaverse Is The Least of META’s Problems
A piece of simple advice that will help drive M&A-related ROIC significantly higher: acquire quality companies led by quality management teams. Put companies led by quality management teams at the top of your M&A target list. Quality companies led by quality teams cost more, but they trade at a premium for a reason and will … Continue reading Acquire Quality Companies Led By Quality Teams
The grow-at-all-costs venture capital culture of the past 20-plus years ruins companies. How? Far too much focus is placed on revenue growth at the expense of sound operations and profitability. Too many venture-backed companies grow at a pace that far outstrips those companies' ability to scale operations in a manner that supports growth. The result … Continue reading VC Culture Ruins Companies
It does not matter what the Fed does with the Fed Funds Rate at this point, the global economy is softening and is likely to get worse. Whether the Fed ultimately takes rates to 3.5% or 4.0% will have little effect on the macroeconomic backdrop (QT is a different story). More job cuts. Large Tech … Continue reading The Economic Genie Is Out Of The Bottle
We have previously written that it would make sense for Apple (AAPL) to acquire Disney (DIS). Apple and Disney could certainly hold informal talks now, but a letter of intent, formal due diligence and the purchase agreement negotiation would all have to wait until there is a new Administration in the White House in my … Continue reading Apple + Disney
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