Preparing a takeover proposal for a client

A client wants a short report recommending a company it could acquire. How would you put it together, and where would you get the information needed to value the target?

Structure the report and source the inputs. Set out the strategic rationale, a shortlist of targets and the chosen one's business, a valuation range from comparables, precedent transactions and a DCF, synergies, financing and risks. Inputs come from filings and annual reports, broker research, market data terminals, deal databases and, for a private target, management information under NDA.