BizBuySell Reports Q1 2017 Small Business Transactions Up 29 Percent, Financials Reach Record Levels

BizBuySell Reports Q1 2017 Small Business Transactions Up 29 Percent, Financials Reach Record Levels

BizBuySell just released the results for business sales in Q1 of 2017.  Per the article – “Though the spike in small business transactions may be partly due to a rush of buyers and sellers looking to close deals around the New Year, a healthy economy, strong small business financials, and access to financing are also enticing more buyers and sellers to the market.”

Below are a few highlights:

1. Businesses sold in Q1 grossed a median revenue of $518,159, an 8.4 percent increase from $478,000 in the first quarter of 2016.
2. Median cash flow also increased, up 6.6 percent year-over-year to $117,275 from $110,000. These key financial indicators are the highest totals since BizBuySell first started tracking data in 2007.
3. The average multiple of cash flow, which remained flat over the past few quarters, increased 1.6 percent from 2.31 to 2.35.
4. The median sale price increased nearly eight percent
5. Over the past few quarters, the number of small businesses listed for sale has steadily increased. That trend carried over into 2017 as total listings increased 3.8 percent from last year.
6. Baby Boomers looking to capitalize on today’s favorable conditions and exit small business ownership for retirement are fueling the market supply.
7. Looking into specific industries, the restaurant and retail sectors experienced the greatest growth. The number of closed transactions in the restaurant sector increased 29 percent year-over-year.
8. Retail business transactions increased 28 percent, just shy of the growth recorded in the restaurant sector.

Northern California Business Sales Stats Q1 2017

Source: BizBuySell