A leveraged buyout (LBO) is a type of acquisition where a company is purchased using a combination of equity and debt. A classic example of an LBO is when a private equity firm purchases a target company using a combination of its own funds (equity) and a large amount of debt financing.

A leveraged buyout (LBO) is a type of acquisition in the business world whereby the vast majority of the cost of buying a company is financed by borrowed funds. LBOs are often executed by private equity firms who attempt to raise as much funding as possible using various types of debt to get the transaction completed.

Over-optimistic forecasts of the revenues of the target company may also lead to financial distress after acquisition. Some courts have found that in certain situations, LBO debt constitutes a fraudulent transfer under U.S. insolvency law if it is determined to be the cause of the acquired firm's failure.