Even More CIMple Truths

Unqualified Opinions masthead: the hand-lettered logo beside a dot character with a speech bubble reading "And other things…"

As always, we have empathy for the analysts at investment banks tasked with putting together lengthy decks about small private businesses (aka Confidential Information Memorandums or CIMs for those not in the know). Information is often incomplete or missing altogether, there are skeletons in the closet, and the people approving your work probably don’t appreciate how difficult it is to make a color pop.

That said, we occasionally see some things that make us scratch our heads. In no particular order…

Statistical insignificance

A listing claiming a five-star Google rating, beside the underlying listing showing that rating comes from a single review

Fact check: true?

Eternal optimism

A business listing headlined "substantial upside potential," showing a $3.5M price, a $3.5M down payment, and $0 in seller's discretionary earnings

Because from zero, there is nowhere to go but up. Cue Shania Twain.

Whatever this is

 
A listing graphic showing cash flow of about $2.66M against gross sales of about $1.03M
 

Cash flow more than two times sales? Not sure how you do that, but good work if you can get it. 

Have a great weekend.

– Witnessed by Tim Hanson


Sign up below to get Unqualified Opinions in your inbox.

* indicates required
Previous
Previous

Does This Matter?

Next
Next

Kansas Basketball and the Value of Money