Both Buyer and Seller are nearing the closing of their transaction. There is still another element of the purchase agreement that needs to be addressed to ensure that the transition runs smoothly: covenants. Covenants in M&A transactions are enforceable promises to either do something (i.e., positive covenants) or not do something (i.e., restrictive covenants) that will impact the company or the sale. These covenants, typically made by the seller, are meant to protect the buyer prior to and after the deal closes.
If there will be a delay between the signing of the purchase agreement and the closing requirements of the Transaction, then the purchase agreement will include certain pre-closing covenants. Most of these will be made by the Seller in favor of the buyer, and are generally intended to give assurances to the buyer that there will be no surprises during the interim period or at closing. The buyer may also give the seller pre-closing covenants. These are usually limited to the buyer agreeing to obtain all applicable governmental and third-party approvals and consents, and perhaps to secure financing to fund the purchase price.
Below are the most common positive covenants and restrictive covenants made by the seller:
Both parties will generally make a number of post-closing covenants. These include restrictive covenants made by the seller and owners in favor of the buyer regarding confidential information of the target, non-competition and non-solicitation of employees and customers for a limited number of years (usually between two and five) and non-disparagement.
In an asset deal, the buyer may agree, through positive covenant, to offer employment to each of the target’s employees for at least the same compensation and benefits being paid by the seller. The buyer may require the seller to pay accrued and unpaid compensation and benefits to employees prior to closing, unless those amounts were included in the balance sheet calculations and already reflected in the purchase price adjustments.
The parties will also agree on how taxes for the target will be filed and paid. If the transaction is an asset purchase, they will also agree on how the assets will be allocated for tax purposes. The seller will generally prefer an allocation that emphasizes capital gain over ordinary income, while the buyer will generally prefer an allocation that allows it to maximize depreciation and amortization of the assets it is acquiring.
Post-closing restrictive covenants should include an agreement on how to handle any applicable transfer taxes. The agreement will generally waive compliance with any applicable bulk sales laws (although the buyer may still want to make any requisite filings with state and local authorities).
In an asset deal, the seller will generally be required to make filings to change the target’s name with its state of formation and wherever it may be qualified to do business, so that the buyer entity can use the same name after closing.
Finally, the parties may agree that any press releases or other public statements will need to be mutually acceptable to both parties.
The closing of the transaction may either be concurrent with the execution of the purchase agreement (a “sign and close”), or it may occur after a period of time, typically after certain negotiated conditions are satisfied.
These closing conditions generally include requirements that: (i) each party’s representations and warranties remain accurate as of the closing date; (ii) neither party is in breach of any of its obligations under the purchase agreement; (iii) all required governmental and third party consents have been obtained; (iv) there are no legal proceedings affecting the target or any of the parties’ ability to close; (v) the buyer is satisfied with its due diligence; (vi) the buyer has obtained sufficient financing; and (vi) all ancillary agreements and closing deliveries have been delivered.
Regardless of whether the transaction is an asset or a stock deal, the ancillary agreements and closing deliveries will usually include:
If the transaction is an asset deal, there will be a number of additional deliveries and instruments that are required to transfer the assets:
If the transaction is a stock deal, deliveries will include:
These restrictive covenants and positive covenants/provisions are just one part of the many components that make up the purchase agreement and the M&A transaction overall. But despite the antiquated connotation we have with the word “covenant,” these are formal agreements that are important in maintaining the value of the company, and should not be overlooked by the seller.
[Editor’s Note: If you want to read more about how to sell or otherwise exit a business, be sure to read “Business Transition and Exit Planning: Welcome to the Jungle!” It will lead you step-by-step through what you need to know.
To find definitions for some of the terms in this article, you may also visit the Business Transition and Exit Planning Glossary. To learn more about this and related topics, you may also want to attend the following webinars: Post-Closing Issues: Integration & Potential Buyer/Seller Disputes 2019 and Key Provisions in M&A Agreements. This is an updated version of an article originally published on April 3, 2015.]
Rob is a senior associate in Levenfeld Pearlstein’s Corporate & Securities Group where he focuses on mergers and acquisitions, securities transactions, startup companies, technology agreements, and general corporate matters: M&A: Rob works with privately held businesses and investment funds across a broad range of industries in the middle market in negotiating and consummating acquisition and…
Session expired
Please log in again. The login page will open in a new tab. After logging in you can close it and return to this page.