Reduction in practice goodwill values – a trend or a blip?
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- Published: Friday, 25 January 2019 08:02
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NASDAL (The National Association of Specialist Dental Accountants and Lawyers) has published its latest practice goodwill statistics. The quarter saw a reduction in the average goodwill values of all types of practice. There is also an ever increasing Private Equity interest in acquiring larger practices, or small groups.
These statistics are produced quarterly by NASDAL and provide a useful snapshot of the dental practice sales market. The survey for the quarter ending 31st October 2018 has illustrated a number of trends that seem to be becoming more prevalent in the sector. NASDAL reminds all that as with any averages, these statistics should be treated as a guideline only.
This quarter saw a reduction in the average goodwill values of all types of practice. NHS sales saw an average goodwill value of 177% of gross fees – down from 224%. Fully private practice sales were at an average goodwill value of 104% of gross fees – down from 125% in the quarter ending 31st July 2018. Finally, even mixed practices – one of the great performers of recent years, saw a slight reduction from 111% of gross fees to 108%.
Alan Suggett, specialist dental accountant and partner in UNW LLP who compiles the goodwill survey, said, “Although there has been a drop in both valuations and deals, I would want to see the next quarter’s figures before deciding on whether or not this is a trend or simply a blip.
“There are still a number of issues in the UK dental practice sales market. Geography is a consistently important factor – it is simply more difficult to sell practices in certain areas of the country. I have also heard from a number of sources that a lack of availability of associates is causing some NHS practice owners to worry about hitting targets. This may be related to Brexit and it will be interesting to see what effect this may have on the market.”
New Private Equity entrant to market
Alan also noted, “There is ever increasing Private Equity interest in acquiring larger practices, or small groups – a new entrant to the market is Apposite Capital which has invested in ‘Riverdale Healthcare’ which recently bought the ‘Alpha Vitality Group’ in the North East.”
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