Accretion Dilution

In the context of mergers and acquisitions

What is Accretion Dilution Analysis?

Accretion and Dilution refer to a simple test that determines the impact of an acquisition or merger on the buying firm’s Earnings per Share (EPS). Accretion Dilution analysis helps the acquirer (buyer) weigh the consequences of the merger, incorporating all factors and complexities.

Image from CFI’s M&A financial modeling course.

Accretion

An accretive acquisition or merger is one where the pro forma (post-deal) Earnings per Share is greater than the acquirer’s (buyer’s) EPS before the deal is made.

Pro Forma (Post-Deal) EPS > Acquirer’s EPS

Dilution

A dilutive acquisition or merger is one where the pro forma (post-deal) EPS is less than the EPS of the acquiring business when it stands alone before the deal is made.

Pro Forma (Post-Deal) EPS < Acquirer’s EPS

Breakeven

This scenario is pretty self-explanatory. Upon a merger or acquisition, the acquiring (buying) company would essentially “breakeven.” In other words, there would be no impact on the acquirer’s EPS, and the company’s EPS would be the same before and after the deal is made.

Pro Forma (Post-Deal) EPS = No Impact on Acquirer’s EPS

Consensus EPS

The impact (accretion/dilution) of a merger or acquisition is generally based upon consensus earnings per share. Most public companies have analysts who follow the company and publish their estimates for EPS, and they should be used as a base for calculations. One really great tool for estimations of a company earnings is Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S.

Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S (previously First Call Corporation) leads the way in broker-sourced research, earnings estimates, and a great deal of other important financial information. The Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S Earnings Estimates offer consistent global financial data that contains info on more than 21,000 companies in over 480 established and emerging markets around the world. Thomson Reuters offers analysts from major international research firms to ensure broad coverage on top of local expertise.

Thomas Reuters I/B/E/S includes the following:

• Summary Estimates & Actuals
• Detailed Estimates & Actuals
• Guidance Data
• Price Target Summary & Detail Estimates
• Surprise Data
• Recommendations, Summary & Actuals
• Restated Actuals
• QFS Delivery Mechanism

Level of Accretion Dilution as a Critical Issue

As Accretion and Dilution Analysis is a simple test used to determine whether the proposed merger or acquisition will increase or decrease the post-transaction earnings per share (EPS), it is vital in determining whether a company should make the leap. The test determines if the transaction is affordable for the acquirer and what synergy they may be receiving.

It will also help determine the rationale behind combining the two companies. If the dilution is too great, the company probably will not go ahead with the transaction, as it would be detrimental vs. beneficial. If it turns out that the accretion is high, that will have quite the opposite effect.

Learn More

Thank you for reading CFI’s guide to Accretion Dilution. You can learn more by checking out the following free CFI resources:

• Asset Acquisition
• Stock Acquisition
• Asset vs. Stock Deal
• Section 368
• Retained Earnings
• See all valuation resources