Smart Investors Buy Assets, Not Equity
October 16, 2023
by an investor from Western State College in Newport Beach, CA, USA
In an equity purchase, the investor assumes the assets AND the liabilities of the company they just bought. But if the investor only buys the assets, then the liabilities stay with the owners of the purchased company..
from Western State College in Newport Beach, CA, USA
Tangible Assets: These are physical assets you can touch and potentially sell or carve out of a deal.
Intangible Assets: These include brand, goodwill, copyrights, trademarks, social media accounts, and website traffic.
Current Assets: These assets can be liquidated quickly and are often preferred for raising capital.
Fixed Assets: Less liquid, fixed assets can be harder to sell but may hold some value.
Operational Assets: Assets used in daily business operations, which you’ll need to assess for necessity.
Non-operational Assets: These can be sold off since they aren’t integral to ongoing business operations.
And knowing which assets you’re buying is crucial if you aim to profit from your acquisition. 😎
from Western State College in Newport Beach, CA, USA
Unsecured Payables and Undisclosed Debt: Equity purchases may lead to the discovery of undisclosed debts that you must shoulder.
Hidden Warrants or Options: You might suddenly find yourself facing unexpected claims from people who possess unmentioned warrants or options.
Phantom Equity: A departing employee’s phantom equity deal, unknown to you during due diligence can come back to haunt you.
Tax and Legal Issues: Unforeseen tax liabilities, pending litigation, or labor organization disputes may surface after you buy the business, putting your assets at risk.