Asset Base

What is Asset Base?

Asset base refers to all the assets held by a company that gives value to the business. The value placed on the assets is not fixed and can fluctuate as the company buys and sells new assets. Although such shifts in valuation are normal, large swings in the value of the assets are often viewed as a red flag by analysts and external stakeholders.

A company’s asset base may serve as collateral for a bank loan or other credit.

What is Asset-Based Valuation?

The asset-based approach is the most commonly used valuation method, as it is comprehensive in nature and entails a thorough analysis of what the business owns. It involves using the assets and liabilities values on the balance sheet:

• Asset-based valuation is based on the value of, not the recorded balance of, the assets and liabilities on the balance sheet. The standard valuations used are fair value and fair market value.
• Balance sheets based on the US GAAP usually exclude most internal intangible assets even though they may represent a major source of value for a company. The asset-based approach, however, takes into consideration all of the company’s assets (both tangible and intangible) and liabilities (both recorded and contingent).

When is the Asset-based Valuation Approach Used?

The asset-based valuation approach is the generally accepted method for valuing a company. An analyst looks at four factors when valuing a business:

1. Type of company

With regard to the type of company, the asset-based approach can be used by companies that own both tangible and intangible assets. Therefore, the valuation can be used for asset holding companies and asset operating companies. Virtually all businesses fall into one of these two categories.

2. The company’s business interests

Business interests can also affect valuation. The asset-based approach is used to value the overall business and is usually performed during the purchase or sale of the business, or a merger or acquisition. It is also used when the price of the business is directly related to its tangible and intangible assets and not the value of its stock.

3. Types of transactions in the business

The asset-based valuation method is used for taxable transactions to secure financing, as various creditors place a different value on the assets of the business.

4. Availability of data

Lastly, the amount of information available can also affect an analyst’s ability to use this valuation approach. If there is no access to asset-specific information or if there’s been a substantial change(s) in the value of tangible or intangible assets since their valuation date, it can impede the analyst’s ability to use the method.

Asset-based Approach vs. Cost-based Approach

Asset-based valuation is commonly used to value businesses, while the cost-based approach is used to value property. The former approach measures the business equity while the latter approach estimates the individual value of tangible and intangible assets.

The cost-based approach can be used to value various tangible and intangible assets, but for a business that expects to operate long into the future, it is often hard to value certain intangible assets such as goodwill and economic obsolescence.

The asset-based approach, on the other hand, incorporates all other valuation approaches and can be used to value certain tangible and intangible assets that cannot be valued under the cost-based approach.

Conclusion

An analyst may choose to use the asset-based approach individually or in congruence with other valuation methods. Various factors come into play when deciding whether or not to value a business using this method, including the quality of data available, the market participants’ acceptance of the approach, and the analyst’s degree of confidence in the valuation placed on the business.

Under the asset-based approach, tangible and intangible assets are valued with the assumption of a going concern for the business being valued. The approach is very comprehensive, and it comes as no surprise that it is the generally accepted valuation standard among numerous authorities.

Related Readings

CFI offers the Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® certification program for those looking to take their careers to the next level. To keep learning and advancing your career, the following CFI resources will be helpful:

• Contingent Liability
• IB Manual – Balance Sheet Assets
• Net Tangible Assets
• Valuation Methods
• See all valuation resources