Purchase price
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Purchase price Start Comparison
Is a purchase price adjustment common?

Frequency/market practice: Very common in offshore acquisitions or onshore acquisitions of FIEs, but not very common in onshore acquisitions of domestic companies mainly due to restrictions under PRC foreign exchange control rules.

What type of purchase price adjustment is common (e.g., debt-free, cash-free)?

Frequency/market practice: Cash-free/debt-free is very common. Working capital is also fairly common. Net asset value is rarely seen.

Is there a collar on the purchase price adjustment?

Frequency/market practice: Collars are rarely used. This may be required where public companies are involved.

Who usually prepares the closing balance sheet (where applicable)?

Frequency/market practice: This is usually prepared by the target company.

Is the balance sheet audited (where applicable)?

Frequency/market practice: Rarely.

Is an earn-out common?

Frequency/market practice: Fairly common and more common in private equity transactions where sellers continue to manage the target company after closing. It is less common where the seller is completely exiting. Earn-outs are commonly capped. There are potential difficulties in implementing earn-out provisions in onshore acquisitions given the requirement for foreign investors to pay the purchase price in full within one year under the M&A Regulation, as well as restrictions under PRC foreign exchange control rules.

Is a deposit common?

Frequency/market practice: Rarely. Due to restrictions under PRC foreign exchange control rules, cross border deposit payments are difficult to implement in practice.

Is an escrow common?

Frequency/market practice: Escrows are very commonly used by private equity investors and strategic buyers.

Is a break fee common?

Frequency/market practice: Rarely.