Creating More Accurate Acquisition Valuations
Deal markets can be "hot" or "cold," and the state of the economy can bias executives' evaluation of potential acquisitions. For instance, relying on discounted cash flow scenarios can bolster managers' sense of confidence and create unrealistically low perceptions of uncertainty. Executives can mitigate valuation biases by having a checklist — the list tempers natural inclinations to focus on the value of growth options in "hot" markets and risk of investment in "cold" markets.