AUGUST 2026 MARKET DATA
Wholesale & distribution business valuation multiples
See what reported US sales of wholesale & distribution imply about cash-flow multiples, revenue multiples, and typical sale prices.
Median reported sale price
$604,000Reported sales from Q3 2021–Q2 2026Cash flow multiple
2.93×Price ÷ seller’s discretionary earningsRevenue multiple
0.55×Price ÷ annual gross revenueSector rank
#4By cash-flow multiple among 16 sectorsVersus all businesses
+14%Cash-flow multiple versus 2.58× overallWORKED MARKET REFERENCE
How the two common methods compare
For an example wholesale & distribution business with $1,000,000 in annual revenue and $250,000 in SDE:
The indications can differ because margins vary. A personalized market reference should use the company’s actual revenue and normalized SDE, then consider transferability and deal terms separately.
Calculate my private referenceCOMMON QUESTIONS
Reading this wholesale & distribution business benchmark
What is the average wholesale & distribution business cash-flow multiple?
Reported sales in this category average 2.93× seller’s discretionary earnings and 0.55× annual revenue. The reported median sale price is $604,000.
How should I use the 2.93× multiple?
Apply it first to normalized SDE, not tax-return profit without review. Then cross-check the revenue method and examine the business-specific risks a buyer would inherit.
Does this tell me exactly what my wholesale & distribution business is worth?
No. It is a reported-sale average, not an appraisal or offer. Company size, margins, growth, transferability, assets, liabilities, geography, and deal terms can produce a different outcome.
Public aggregates reported by BizBuySell for closed US sales of wholesale & distribution. The headline multiples cover Q3 2021–Q2 2026. These are useful relative indicators, not a formal appraisal, offer, or complete census.