Module V· Sources & Uses (Strategic Acquirer)Advanced
Question

How do you treat trapped cash in foreign structures as a source, and when is existing cash not effectively usable?

Answer

Trapped cash is cash that cannot be freely used because of tax, legal, regulatory, FX, minority shareholder, covenant, or operational restrictions. In S&U, only freely available cash should be shown as a source. Existing cash may be unusable if repatriation triggers withholding tax, local approvals, trapped minority economics, capital controls, or if the business needs it for minimum operating liquidity.