Report: Harman LBO Deal in Trouble

Another private equity LBO is in trouble.

From the WSJ: Harman's Suitors Sour on Buyout

The private-equity buyers of Harman International Industries Inc. are balking at completing the $8 billion purchase of the audio-equipment maker, people familiar with the matter said, as yet another leveraged buyout falls into a hostile tête-à-tête between buyer and seller.
...
Should KKR and Goldman choose to break the deal, they would have to pay a $225 million termination fee, according to corporate filings. That fee is about 2.86% of the deal's value, which is somewhat lower than other transactions of a similar size, according to an analysis by MergerMetrics.com.

Based on previous reports, the average loss on recent LBOs has been about 4% of the deal debt value, so a $225 million breakup fee is might be a bargain depending on the percentage debt. Whatever it takes to avoid more pier loans!

As an aside, the Harman business has recently underperformed expectations, probably as a direct result of the housing bust.