A Snapshot: Valuations of Non-Compete Agreements

In today’s competitive business landscape, non-compete agreements have become increasingly common. These legal contracts restrict employees, business partners, or sell-side entities from engaging in competitive activities for a specified duration and within a defined geographic area after leaving a company or selling a company. While they are essential for protecting a business’s intellectual property and customer base, non-compete agreements also hold intrinsic value that can significantly impact a company’s overall worth. From the perspective of a valuation services company, we will delve into the intricacies of non-compete agreement valuations and explore how it can affect your business.

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Understanding Non-Compete Agreements for Business Combinations

Non-compete agreements are contracts wherein the sell-side entity agrees not to engage in similar business activities or compete with the buy-side entity within a defined geographic area and time frame. These agreements are aimed at offering a degree of protection to the new owner of a business from competition by the sell-side entity, its owners, or other key personnel. If the seller is an incorporated entity, a non-compete agreement may also extend to the seller entity as a whole.

Non-compete agreements may reduce the risk of the acquired business losing customers to the seller. They might also prevent the seller from seeking to recruit key employees of the acquired business, thereby reducing future recruitment and training costs and improving the retention of know-how within the business. Non-compete agreements may therefore represent future economic benefits in the form of higher sales and lower costs.

  • Scope: Non-compete agreements vary in scope. Non-compete outlines the specific restrictions and limitations placed on an individual or entity (typically an employee, contractor, or seller of a business) regarding their ability to engage in competitive activities after their association with the party imposing the non-compete ends.
  • Duration: The duration of non-compete agreements can vary widely. It could be a few months, years, or even decades.
  • Geographic Restrictions: The geographic area in which the non-compete applies is another crucial factor. Some agreements are limited to a specific city, while others may encompass a broader region like a country or a group of countries.

Why are non-compete agreement valuations required?

Non-compete agreement valuations are required for several important reasons in the context of business transactions and financial reporting. Here are some key reasons why non-compete agreement valuations are essential:

Purchase Price Allocation (PPA)

In mergers and acquisitions (M&A) transactions, the purchase price allocation (PPA) process is used to determine how the total purchase price is allocated among the various assets and liabilities of the acquired company. Non-compete agreements are considered intangible assets and must be assigned a fair value as part of this allocation.



Tax Implications

The valuation of non-compete agreements can have tax implications for both the buyer and the seller. Accurate valuations are crucial for determining the tax treatment of the proceeds related to these agreements. Different tax treatments may apply depending on whether the non-compete is considered ordinary income, capital gain, or another category, and these can impact the tax liability of the parties involved.

Risk Assessment

Non-compete agreement valuations help parties assess the potential risks and benefits associated with the agreements. This is especially important for buyers who want to understand the value of the restrictions placed on the seller and whether they provide adequate protection for the acquired business.




Negotiation and Decision-Making

In the negotiation phase of a transaction, non-compete agreement valuations can help buyers and sellers determine the appropriate compensation for these restrictions.





Investor and Stakeholder Transparency

For publicly traded companies, transparency is essential. Valuing non-compete agreements and disclosing them in financial statements ensures that investors and stakeholders have a clear understanding of the company's financial position and any significant intangible assets that may impact future performance.

Post-Transaction Integration

Understanding the value of non-compete agreements can be critical during the post-transaction integration process. It helps the buyer assess how effectively these agreements protect the acquired business and whether any adjustments or additional measures are necessary.


Non-Compete Agreements Valuation Methods

Valuation methods for non-compete agreements can vary depending on the specific circumstances and the nature of the agreement. When valuing non-compete agreements, it’s important to consider various factors and use appropriate valuation methods. Here are some common valuation methods for non-compete agreements:

Income Approach

This method calculates the present value of the expected future income that the non-compete agreement is expected to protect. It considers factors like projected revenue loss if the restricted party competes and discounts this loss to present value. A popular form of income approach is the with-and-without method.

Market Approach

This approach involves comparing the non-compete agreement to similar agreements in the market. For instance, if the non-compete restricts a CEO from starting a competing business, the valuation could be based on what other companies have paid in similar situations.

Cost Approach

This method considers the cost incurred by the restricted party in agreeing to the non-compete agreement. It might include compensation paid to the restricted party for agreeing not to compete or expenses related to enforcing the agreement.



Application of with-and-without method:

The with-and-without method is a common approach to valuing non-compete agreements. This method estimates the value of the non-compete agreement by comparing the value of the business with and without the agreement. In this method, we estimate the value of the business with the non-compete agreement in place and then estimate the value of the business without the non-compete agreement. The difference between the two values is the estimated value of the non-compete agreement.

The following are the major steps in deriving a value using the with-and-without method.

  1. Obtain the projections comprising revenue, expenses, working capital, and capital expenditure under the following two scenarios:
    • with scenario; and calculate the free cash flows for the “With Scenario”
    • without scenario; and calculate the free cash flows for the “Without Scenario”
  2. Discount the projections obtained under two scenarios to present value using an appropriate discount rate.
  3. The difference between the present value of cash flows under the two scenarios is considered to be the value of the non-compete agreement. The difference so computed can also be probability-weighted depending on the likelihood of competition expected to affect the cash flows.
  4. Tax amortization benefit (TAB) can be appropriately built and added to the overall value of the intangible asset.
Challenges in Valuation of non-compete agreements:

Valuing non-compete agreements can be challenging due to various factors, both legal and financial. Here are some of the key challenges associated with valuing non-compete agreements:

  • Subjectivity: The value of a non-compete agreement is often subjective and depends on individual circumstances, industry norms, and geographic factors. What one party considers valuable protection; another may see as overly restrictive.
  • Legal Compliance: Non-compete agreements must comply with relevant laws and regulations, which can vary significantly by jurisdiction. Overly restrictive agreements may be deemed unenforceable, affecting their value.
  • Duration and Scope: Determining the appropriate duration and geographic scope of a non-compete agreement can be challenging. Longer durations and broader scope may increase the value but could also face legal challenges.
  • Intangibles: The value of a non-compete agreement may include intangible factors, such as protecting a company’s reputation, client relationships, or proprietary information, which are difficult to quantify.
  • Discount Rates: Determining the appropriate discount rate for estimating the present value of future cash flows affected by the non-compete agreement can be challenging, especially in industries with uncertain or changing dynamics.
  • Market Conditions: The value of a non-compete agreement can fluctuate with changing market conditions. Economic downturns or shifts in industry dynamics may affect the perceived value of such agreements.
FAQ's

How frequently is a non-compete agreement recognized as an asset in a PPA?

Non-compete agreements are typically recognized as assets in a Purchase Price Allocation (PPA) when they meet certain criteria, such as ability and willingness of the sellers / key employees to compete, having a determinable value, being separable from other assets, and providing economic benefits over a defined period. The frequency of recognition depends on the prevalence of such agreements in the specific industry, their significance to the transaction, and the level of scrutiny applied during the valuation process. Valuation services firms play a crucial role in assessing the fair value of non-compete agreements, ensuring accurate representation of assets in business combinations.

How do valuation services companies determine the fair value of non-compete agreements in complex business scenarios?

Valuation services companies employ various methodologies, including income approach, market approach, and cost approach, to assess the fair value of non-compete agreements. They consider factors such as projected cash flows, comparable transactions, and replacement costs to arrive at a comprehensive valuation.
Conclusion:

Non-compete agreements are essential components of many M&A transactions, protecting the buyer’s interests and preserving the acquired company’s value. Accurate valuation of these non-compete agreements requires a careful evaluation of market conditions, economic benefits, and legal compliance.

At ValAdvisor, our dedicated team of experts specializes in determining the value of a business or assets, for transactional, accounting, taxation, regulatory, financing, distressed asset resolution, litigation, insurance, strategic, planning, and operational purposes. As a leading Valuation Services company our expertise lies in various advanced models and simulation techniques that help us in delivering reliable and accurate valuations. Count on us to provide tailored solutions that empower you to make informed decisions with confidence.

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