First Step to Final Offer 9/24/24

Your weekly round-up of an M&A deal walkthrough, insightful market news summaries, technical quiz questions, and various internships, events, and diversity programs. A key resource to best prepare yourself for finance recruiting. If someone sent you the newsletter subscribe below!

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

RecruitU Event Series

Join RecruitU Experts for a webinar series designed to educate and prepare sophomores for summer internship recruiting. Run by Former Head of Evercore Recruiting and Former Employer Partnerships at Colby and Bowdoin College.

  • October 7 @ 7 pm ET: How to Prepare for Investment Banking Interviews Link Here 

  • October 21 @ 5 pm ET: Preparing for Investment Banking Interviews, Part II Link Here

Class of 2027 Jobs & Events

  • Insight Partners: 2026 Summer Investment Analyst Overview Link Here

  • KKR: 2026 Summer Analyst Program Recruiting Process Overview Link Here

  • Societe Generale 2025 Sophomore Investment Banking program Link Here

  • Raymond James Banking Insights Program Link here

  • Bank of America Global Markets Sales & Trading Rotational Sophomore Summer Analyst Program – 2025  Link here 

  • Goldman Sachs Possibilities Summits  Link here

  • Deloitte Consulting Discovery Sophomore Intern Summer 2025 Link here

  • Deloitte Discovery Intern (Sophomore) Consulting (Government & Public Services) - Summer 2025 Link here

  • RBC Capital Markets U.S. Pathways Diversity Award Program Link Here

  • RBC Capital Markets U.S. Women’s Advisory Program Link Here

  • RBC Capital Markets LGBTQ+ Sophomore Insights Program Link Here

  • Bain & Company Event Series Link Here

  • Goldman Sachs Emerging Leaders Series - Link Here

  • Morgan Stanley Summer 2025 Applications - Link Here

Class of 2026

  • Morgan Stanley 2025 Investment Management Summer Analyst Program - Fixed Income High Yield (Boston)  Link here

  • Goldman Sachs 2025 Internships  Link here

  • StepStone Group 2025 Private Equity Summer Analyst  Link here

  • Susquehanna International Group, LLP (SIG) Quantitative Trader Internship: Summer 2025  Link here

  • Bracebridge Capital 2025 Summer Investment Analyst  Link here

  • Blackstone 2025 Real Estate Finance Summer Analyst   Link here

  • BNY 2025 Summer Internship Programs Link here

  •  Deutsche Bank Internship Program Investment Bank: Commercial Real Estate - New York - 2025  Link here

  • MUFG 2025 Corporate, Investment Banking and Markets (CIBM) Summer Analyst Program  - Link here

  • Deutsche Bank Internship Program - Investment Bank: Origination and Advisory Capital Markets - New York 2025 - Link here

  • Deutsche Bank Internship Program - Investment Bank: Origination and Advisory - San Francisco 2025 - Link here

  • Lazard 2025 Institutional Client Group Summer Internship - Link Here

  • Baird, Equity Research Analyst Summer 2025 - Link Here

  • BCG Associate Internship - Link Here

  • Bain & Company Associate Consultant Intern - Link Here

  • Nomura Summer 2025 Analyst Roles - Link Here

  • Citadel Securities Trading Fundamental Analyst - Link Here

  • Loop Capital Summer 2025 Analyst Positions - Link Here

  • Stifel Financial Corp Summer 2025 Analyst Roles - Link Here

  • Citi Summer Summer 2025 Analyst Roles - Link Here

  • StepStone Group Summer 2025 PE Analyst - Link Here

  • Guggenheim Summer 2025 Applications - Link Here

  • Oppenheimer Summer 2025 Applications - Link Here

  • Abdiel Capital Summer 2025 Application - Link Here

  • Long Ridge Summer 2025 Application - Link Here

  • D.E. Shaw Summer 2025 Application - Link Here

  • Point72 Summer 2025 Application- Link Here

TECHNICAL QUESTION OF THE WEEK:

What is the cost of equity and in what situation is it the discount rate?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

MARKET NEWS

Fed Cuts Rates Again in September 2024 to Combat Slowing Growth

The Federal Reserve has cut interest rates again in its September 2024 meeting, citing concerns over a slowing economy. This latest move reflects the Fed's ongoing effort to stimulate growth while navigating persistent inflationary pressures. Chair Jerome Powell emphasized that while inflation remains a concern, the risk of economic stagnation necessitates aggressive rate cuts to support continued economic activity.

Source: CNBC

U.S. Retail Sales Unexpectedly Rise in August, Defying Expectations

In a surprising turn, U.S. retail sales increased in August 2024, defying analysts' expectations of a slowdown. The unexpected rise was driven by strong consumer spending on motor vehicles and dining out, signaling that consumers remain resilient despite higher interest rates and inflationary pressures. This data provides optimism for the economy but complicates the Federal Reserve’s approach to managing inflation.

Source: Reuters

Private Equity Firms Face Pushback on High-Water EBITDA Loan Terms

Private equity firms are pushing to include language in loan agreements that would allow them to extract larger dividends from the companies they own. These provisions, known as high-water EBITDA clauses, enable firms to base borrowing and dividend payouts on a company’s highest earnings over any 12-month period, even if the business’s performance has since declined. Firms like KKR and Brookfield have attempted to include this language in recent deals, facing resistance from lenders who argue the terms are too aggressive. The debate signals tension in the loan market as private equity firms seek greater financial flexibility.

M&A DEAL OVERVIEW

Axel Springer Splits Business in KKR Deal

German media giant Axel Springer is splitting its business into two entities as part of a strategic deal with private equity firm KKR. The company will separate its fast-growing classifieds businesses, including StepStone, from its media brands like Politico and Bild. KKR will control the classifieds division, while CEO Mathias Döpfner takes charge of the media assets. The split aims to unlock value and boost growth for both segments.

Source: CNBC

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

LAST WEEK TECHNICAL QUESTION OF THE WEEK ANSWER:

Correct Answer $150 - For the deal to be accretive, the combined company's earnings per share (EPS) after the acquisition must increase. To achieve this, $150 in after-tax synergies is needed, which would boost the combined earnings enough to make the deal beneficial for shareholders.