Learn With ETMarkets: What are Leveraged Buyouts? Why is it relatively unknown in India?

A leveraged buyout (LBO) is a merger where an acquiring company borrows funds to buy another company, taking on significant debt, which is secured against the target company’s assets. LBOs are an attractive option for acquiring firms as it requires a smaller upfront investment, offering a high return on investment. Tata Tea’s buyout of the UK’s Tetley in 2000 was India’s first successful LBO, transforming Tata’s global presence. However, LBOs are risky and need careful debt and cash flow management to ensure long-term success.