Buyouts and buyins
A management buyout (MBO) occurs when the management of a company buys up a controlling interest (often by buying all outstanding shares).
A management buyout (MBO) occurs when the management of a company buys up a controlling interest (often by buying all outstanding shares).
It doesn't always have to be the whole company. A group of managers might decide that they would like to own the particular part of the business they run, and operate it as an independent entity. This can happen either as part of a restructuring or if a company is split-up.
Funding for this can be difficult, so the management often uses borrowed money, in which case the deal is known as a leveraged buyout (LBO). In LBOs the lender, in addition to interest, often gets a chunk of equity too.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
One of the chief advantages behind an MBO is that the management is no longer answerable to outside shareholders. A management buyin (MBI) is when an existing business is acquired with a view to putting in a new management team not previously associated with it. When new managers and existing managers and employees join forces, this is known as a buyin management buyout, or BIMBO.
Sign up for MoneyWeek's newsletters
Get the latest financial news, insights and expert analysis from our award-winning MoneyWeek team, to help you understand what really matters when it comes to your finances.
-
AI will maintain Moody’s market lead
Opinion Veteran data provider Moody's has adapted well to the modern world, and is one of Warren Buffett’s longest-held investments
By Stephen Connolly Published
-
Larger homes drive house price growth – Halifax
The average cost of a house in Britain is more than £10,000 higher than last year, according to the latest house price index
By Daniel Hilton Published