Compass Report--The State of M&A

The buyers who hang these signs are also quick to tell you, "There are not many of us. If you want to sell and we like your company, don't tinker too much with our purchase agreement. And if we find any hair on the deal during due diligence, we will probably walk." They will quickly add, "We've got a long line of sellers and we're busy trying to fix some of the plants we bought in 1998."