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Precedent-transactions screen + adjusted-multiples framing

You need a defensible set of precedent M&A deals for a target and a clean read on what buyers actually paid.

The prompt — copy and run it

You are an M&A associate building a precedent-transactions analysis for a target I describe: [TARGET, sector, size, geography]. Produce:
1. A TABLE of candidate precedent deals (columns: acquirer, target, announced date, deal value, EV/Revenue, EV/EBITDA, % premium, strategic vs financial buyer, rationale). Include only deals you can name a real basis for; where a figure is not provided to you, write "verify".
2. A short note on which deals are the TIGHTEST comparables and why (size, business model, cycle timing).
3. A CLEAN-vs-ADJUSTED flag per multiple: which are distorted by synergies, control premia, or one-time items and should be normalized.
4. The 2-3 questions to resolve before quoting any multiple to a client.

Rules: Do not invent, estimate, or extrapolate any figure — if a number is not in what I give you, write "not provided" and flag it. Mark every claim I should verify externally before relying on it. Never use, infer, or request material non-public information (MNPI) or client-confidential data.

How to use this prompt

  1. Copy the full prompt above with the Copy button.
  2. Fill in your inputs. Replace each bracketed placeholder with your specifics: [TARGET, sector, size, geography]
  3. Paste into ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini and run. Read the reality guardrail below before you act on the output.

Why this prompt works

Precedent screens live or die on comparability and on separating clean multiples from control/synergy noise — this forces both, plus a verification step so no headline multiple is quoted blind.

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Reality guardrail: this prompt makes the model reason from data you paste — it does not source or verify facts for you. Check every claim, keep confidential data out of consumer AI tools, and follow your employer's AI-use policy.

Frequently asked

When should I use this prompt?

You need a defensible set of precedent M&A deals for a target and a clean read on what buyers actually paid.

Why does this prompt work?

Precedent screens live or die on comparability and on separating clean multiples from control/synergy noise — this forces both, plus a verification step so no headline multiple is quoted blind.

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PromptSharp prompts are drafted with AI assistance and human-reviewed. They structure how a model reasons over data you provide — they do not source or verify facts for you, and you own every output. Nothing here is financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Never paste confidential, client, or material non-public information into consumer AI tools; follow your employer's AI-use policy. © 2026 PromptSharp.