RE: Indicative offer meaning31 May 2019 14:23
Part 2:
As part of a structured sales process, an indicative offer is usually prepared based on the details provided in the Confidential Information Memorandum (CIM) and after several management meetings between the buyer and seller. Following up this offer, the target determines if the potential buyer should enter into the second round of the sales process, which would include site visits and access to the data room for more in-depth due diligence.
In order for the seller to vet the likelihood and ability of the buyer to close the deal, an indicative offer should outline the buyer's plan for funding the transaction. Keep in mind that even after the indicative offer is signed, it remains a non-binding framework. In other words, nothing is agreed and there is still a significant amount of work to be completed before closing the deal. Until the purchase agreement is signed, additional information about the organization may be discovered, especially during the due diligence process, which might impact the terms of the initial indicative offer. The value of the target and structure of the transaction may be renegotiated or the deal may fall apart if negative information is uncovered during this due diligence process following the indicative offer.