When estimating "cost-cut" synergies from one competitor buying another, what percentage of the target's revenue is a reasonable assumption?

In the context of estimating cost-cut synergies from one competitor acquiring another, a reasonable assumption is that around 2% of the target's revenue can be achieved through cost reductions. This level of synergy is particularly aligned with typical industry standards and past transaction analyses, where firms often find that operational efficiencies and streamlined processes can yield meaningful savings without excessively risking the stability of the combined organization.

Cost-cut synergies generally stem from reductions in overhead costs, eliminating duplicate roles, or optimizing various operational expenditures. A conservative estimate of 2% reflects a realistic view of the potential for achieving these efficiencies without assuming aggressive or overly optimistic projections.

Higher percentages, such as 5% or 10%, might be too ambitious unless specific circumstances or synergies are identified that would justify them, such as a highly fragmented market or substantial operational overlap between the companies involved. In many cases, mergers and acquisitions tend to reveal more modest, yet achievable, improvements in efficiency that closely align with the 2% estimate based on historical data.