Investment Banking: M&A and Initial Public Offerings from Coursera

This course focuses on examining various practical applications of the fundamental financial analysis and valuation techniques employed in the investment banking industry. Specifically, we will examine how to analyze how a private equity firm or other financial sponsor completes a leveraged buyout of a company, how a public company analyzes the impact of acquiring a company on its earnings per share, and how a company completes an initial public offering.

The course will benefit anyone who desires to increase their ability to understand and execute M&A and capital markets transactions, including (but not limited to), entrepreneurs, consultants, bankers, investors, analysts, corporate managers, marketers, strategists, and dealmakers of all types.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Introduction and Module 1: Introduction to Mergers and Acquisitions

This module begins with describing the different types of M&A projects and roles investment banks play in them. It then moves on to the motivations and strategies which drive M&A transactions, the different approaches to selling a business, and the process steps to running a sell-side auction process. Finally, the module explores how buyers finance, structure, and analyze M&A transactions.

Module 2: Leveraged Buyout Analysis

Most of the M&A deals that take place in today’s market are completed by private equity firms. The vast majority of these transactions are classified as “leveraged buyouts (LBOs)”, as the consideration is a mix of equity and debt (leverage). This module will explore how a private equity firm determines the price that it can pay for a specific target company in an LBO transaction given an assumed return threshold, financial forecast and capital structure.

Module 3: Merger Consequences Analysis

When a corporation acquires a business, in addition to assessing the target’s standalone valuation, it will also assess whether the completion of the transaction will have a positive impact on its prospective earnings per share (EPS). This module will explore how an acquirer analyzes whether the acquisition has an accretive (positive) or dilutive (negative) impact on its EPS, given assumptions of the target’s valuation, expected transaction synergies, a proposed financing structure, and the impact of both financial and accounting transaction adjustments. This module will also demonstrate how to prepare a pro forma balance sheet for the buyer given the specifics of the M&A transaction.

Module 4: Overview of Initial Public Offerings (IPOs)

Owners of businesses sometimes decide to take their business public as an alternative to an outright sale. This model explores the similarities between selling and an IPO as well as the differences. This module will define commonly used IPO terms and discuss the IPO process on a stage by stage basis. Finally, this module will highlight the key IPO valuation considerations and end with discussing what happens after a company is public.

Course Conclusion

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by Robert Metzger, James Bertram who are recognized for their work in Mergers and Acquisitions industry

Covers the practical applications of financial analysis and valuation techniques in M&A transactions

Provides a comprehensive overview of M&A processes, from initial planning to execution

Focuses on developing practical skills in M&A analysis and valuation

Suitable for a wide range of learners, including entrepreneurs, consultants, bankers, and investors

May require prior knowledge of financial analysis and accounting principles

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Investment Banking: M&A and Initial Public Offerings with these activities:

Attend industry events or meetups related to M&A or investment banking

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Connect with professionals in the field and learn about current trends and best practices in M&A and investment banking.

Browse courses on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

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Find industry events or meetups related to M&A or investment banking.
Attend the events and network with other attendees.
Follow up with the people you meet and stay in touch.

Watch online tutorials on M&A or investment banking

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Supplement your learning by watching tutorials from experts in the field, providing you with additional perspectives and insights.

Browse courses on Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A)

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Find online tutorials on M&A or investment banking.
Watch the tutorials and take notes on key concepts.
Review the tutorials and practice the concepts you learned.

Review the book 'Investment Banking: A Step-by-Step Guide'

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Refresh your knowledge of the fundamentals of investment banking, including M&A, financial analysis, and valuation techniques.

View Investment Banking: Valuation, LBOs, M&A, and... on Amazon

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Read the book and take notes on key concepts.
Summarize the main points of each chapter.
Complete the practice exercises at the end of each chapter.

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Join a study group or discussion forum for the course

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Engage with other students in the course to discuss the material, share insights, and get help with challenging concepts.

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Join a study group or discussion forum for the course.
Participate in discussions and ask questions.
Help other students with their understanding of the material.

Solve practice problems on M&A and financial analysis

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Reinforce your understanding of the course material by practicing solving problems related to M&A and financial analysis.

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Find practice problems online or in textbooks.
Solve the problems and check your answers.
Review your mistakes and learn from them.

Compile and review your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams

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Regularly review your course materials to reinforce your understanding of the concepts and identify areas where you need additional support.

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Compile your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams in one place.
Review your materials regularly.
Identify areas where you need additional support and seek help from your instructor or classmates.

Create a financial model for a hypothetical M&A transaction

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Apply the concepts of financial analysis and valuation to a real-world scenario, helping you develop a deeper understanding of these techniques.

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Identify a hypothetical target company and acquirer.
Gather financial data on both companies.
Build a financial model to forecast the impact of the acquisition on the acquirer's financial performance.
Analyze the results of the model and make a recommendation on whether or not the acquisition is a good investment.

Write a blog post or article on a topic related to M&A or investment banking

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Demonstrate your understanding of the course material by creating original content that synthesizes and explains key concepts.

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Choose a topic related to M&A or investment banking.
Research the topic and gather information from credible sources.
Write a blog post or article that is clear, concise, and informative.
Share your blog post or article with others.

Career center

Learners who complete Investment Banking: M&A and Initial Public Offerings will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mergers and Acquisitions Associate

This course will provide Investment Banking: M&A and Initial Public Offerings participants a foundation in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The course will examine how M&A transactions are structured, analyzed, and financed. This knowledge will be essential for Mergers and Acquisitions Associates, who are responsible for advising clients on M&A transactions and executing deals.

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Investment Banker

This course is designed to provide Investment Banking: M&A and Initial Public Offerings participants a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in the investment banking industry. This knowledge is essential for Investment Bankers, who are responsible for advising clients on M&A transactions and capital markets transactions. The course will also provide participants with an understanding of the different roles that investment banks play in M&A transactions and capital markets transactions.

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Private Equity Associate

The focus of this course on leveraged buyout (LBO) analysis will be highly relevant to Private Equity Associates. LBOs are a common transaction type in the private equity industry. The course will provide participants with the skills needed to analyze LBO transactions and make investment recommendations.

See salaries and explore the career path for Private Equity Associate

Financial Analyst

The valuation techniques taught in this course will be highly valuable to Financial Analysts. Financial Analysts are responsible for analyzing companies and making investment recommendations. The course will provide participants with the skills needed to analyze companies and make sound investment recommendations.

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Equity Research Analyst

This course will provide Equity Research Analysts with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in the investment banking industry. This knowledge is essential for Equity Research Analysts, who are responsible for analyzing companies and making investment recommendations.

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Corporate Development Associate

This course will provide Corporate Development Associates with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions. This knowledge is essential for Corporate Development Associates, who are responsible for evaluating and executing M&A transactions for their companies.

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Marketer

This course may be helpful to Marketers who work on M&A transactions or IPOs. The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge will help Marketers understand the financial implications of M&A transactions and IPOs and develop effective marketing strategies.

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Strategist

This course may be helpful to Strategists who work on M&A transactions or IPOs. The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge will help Strategists develop effective strategies for M&A transactions and IPOs.

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Consultant

This course may be helpful to Consultants who work on M&A transactions. The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions. This knowledge will be helpful for Consultants who are responsible for advising clients on M&A transactions.

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Entrepreneur

This course may be helpful to Entrepreneurs who are considering selling their businesses or raising capital through an initial public offering (IPO). The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge will help Entrepreneurs make informed decisions about their businesses.

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Investment Manager

This course may be helpful to Investment Managers who are responsible for investing in M&A transactions or IPOs. The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge will help Investment Managers make informed investment decisions.

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Financial Manager

This course may be helpful to Financial Managers who are responsible for overseeing M&A transactions or IPOs. The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge will help Financial Managers make informed decisions about M&A transactions and IPOs.

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Dealmaker

This course will provide Dealmakers with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge is essential for Dealmakers, who are responsible for structuring and executing M&A transactions and IPOs.

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Portfolio Manager

This course may be helpful to Portfolio Managers who are responsible for managing portfolios that include M&A transactions or IPOs. The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge will help Portfolio Managers make informed investment decisions.

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Risk Manager

This course may be helpful to Risk Managers who are responsible for managing risks associated with M&A transactions or IPOs. The course will provide participants with a strong foundation in the financial analysis and valuation techniques used in M&A transactions and IPOs. This knowledge will help Risk Managers identify and mitigate risks associated with M&A transactions and IPOs.

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