By Lane Gordon, 733Park. Updated September 15, 2026.
733Park's rule of thumb: merchant residual portfolios are selling for 28x to 46x net monthly residual in 2026, most quality books between 34x and 42x, and the three things that decide where a book lands are annual attrition, whether the residual contract and merchant agreements transfer cleanly, and monthly residual size.
Every seller asks for one number. There is no single number, because a book losing 5% of its merchants a year and a book losing 20% are different assets. But there is a range, and inside it the placement is predictable. Here it is, by profile.
The table
| Portfolio profile | Typical multiple of net monthly residual, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Under 7% annual attrition, clean and portable contracts, $25K+ monthly residual | 40x to 46x |
| 7% to 12% attrition, clean contracts | 36x to 42x |
| 12% to 18% attrition, or open questions on contract portability | 30x to 36x |
| Over 18% attrition, sub-ISO position, or documentation gaps | 28x to 30x |
| Under $5K monthly residual, any profile | Narrower buyer pool, bottom of the tier for its attrition |
What moves a book inside the band
Attrition first. Buyers compute it from your statements; have the number ready and know why it is what it is. How attrition affects portfolio value has the math.
Contract control. Direct ISO agreements with a premium processor transfer at full value. Sub-ISO positions at the bottom of a waterfall, or agreements that need processor consent, trade at a discount. See selling residuals and contract rights.
Concentration. A single merchant above 15% of residuals is a discount, not a footnote.
Reporting. A clean 12-month residual report by merchant, produced in a day, tells the buyer everything else is probably clean too.
Size. $25K to $100K a month is the sweet spot with the deepest buyer pool. Larger books get more competition; very small books get fewer bidders.
How to use this
Run your numbers through the portfolio valuation calculator for a confidential range, then read how to value an ISO for the difference between selling a residual stream and selling the company that produces it, and why there is no single typical multiple.
ResidualsForSale.com is the 733Park practice for residual and portfolio sales: 25 years of payments M&A expertise, 200+ closed transactions, $10B+ in transaction volume. Sellers work directly with a senior partner from first call to close.
Frequently asked questions
What is the typical multiple for selling residuals in 2026?
28x to 46x net monthly residual, with most quality portfolios between 34x and 42x. Attrition, contract control and size decide where a book lands.
What is the typical multiple for selling an ISO?
A whole ISO with a sales engine is valued as an operating business on an EBITDA multiple, roughly 6x to 18x, not on a residual multiple.
Do buyers pay more for larger portfolios?
Usually. $25K to $100K a month of net residual attracts the deepest buyer pool; very small books have fewer bidders.
What moves a portfolio up or down inside the range?
Attrition first, then contract control, merchant concentration, reporting quality, and size.