Now in its fifth year, this study examines data from 169 distinct stock transactions collected via a confidential online survey. All data is analysed and compiled by Rusk O’Brien Gido + Partners’ team of accredited business appraisers — individuals with decades of experience valuing privately held architecture and engineering (A/E) firms. The result is the most comprehensive and reliable study of business valuations and mergers and acquisitions ever published for the architecture, engineering and environmental consulting industries.

Among other information, the study provides statistical data on ten separate valuation ratios or “multiples” representing both minority and controlling interests in privately held firms, as well as minority interests in publicly traded companies and minority interests in Employee Stock Ownership Plans (ESOP) sponsoring companies. Statistical analysis will be presented on a median, mean, trimmed mean, upper quartile and lower quartile basis, and broken down by specific firm type. The study also provides insight into how mergers and acquisitions are being conducted in the industry, as well as 19 different financial benchmarking metrics.