When valuing a company as a going concern, there are three main valuation methods used by industry practitioners: (1) DCF analysisFinancial Modeling, (2) comparable company analysis, and (3) precedent transactions. These are the most common methods of valuation used in investment bankingInvestment BankingInvestment banking is the division of a bank or financial institution that serves governments, corporations, and institutions by providing underwriting and mergers and acquisitions (M&A) advisory services., equity research, private equity, corporate development, mergers & acquisitions (M&AMergers Acquisitions M&A ProcessThis guide takes you through all the steps in the M&A process. Learn how mergers and acquisitions and deals are completed. In this guide, we'll outline the acquisition process), leveraged buyouts (LBOLeveraged Buyout (LBO)A leveraged buyout (LBO) is a transaction where a business is acquired using debt as the main source of consideration.), and most areas of finance.
As shown in the diagram above, when valuing a business or asset, there are three different methods or approaches one can use. The Cost Approach looks at what it costs to rebuild or replace an asset. The cost approach method is useful in valuing real estate, such as commercial property, new construction, or special use properties. Finance professionals do not typically use it to value a company that is a going concern.
Next is the Market Approach, which is a form of relative valuation and is frequently used in the industry. It includes Comparable Analysis and Precedent Transactions.
Finally, the discounted cash flow (DCF) approach is a form of intrinsic valuation and is the most detailed and thorough approach to valuation modeling. We will describe the methods used in the Market and DCF approaches below.
Method 1: Comparable Analysis (“Comps”)
Comparable company analysisComparable Company AnalysisThis guide shows you step-by-step how to build comparable company analysis ("Comps") and includes a free template and many examples. (also called “trading multiples” or “peer group analysis” or “equity comps” or “public market multiples”) is a relative valuation method in which you compare the current value of a business to other similar businesses by looking at trading multiples like P/E, EV/EBITDAEBITDA MultipleThe EBITDA multiple is a financial ratio that compares a company's Enterprise Value to its annual EBITDA. This multiple is used to determine the value of a company and compare it to the value of other, similar businesses. A company's EBITDA multiple provides a normalized ratio for differences in capital structure,, or other ratios. Multiples of EBITDAEBITDAEBITDA or Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation, Amortization is a company's profits before any of these net deductions are made. EBITDA focuses on the operating decisions are the most common valuation method.
The “comps” valuation method provides an observable value for the business, based on what other comparable companies are currently worth. Comps are the most widely used approach, as they are easy to calculate and always current. The logic follows that if company X trades at a 10-times P/E ratio, and company Y has earnings of $2.50 per share, company Y’s stock must be worth $25.00 per share (assuming the companies have similar attributes).
Comparable Company AnalysisThis guide shows you step-by-step how to build comparable company analysis ("Comps") and includes a free template and many examples. Example Comps Table
Method 2: Precedent Transactions
Precedent transactions analysisPrecedent Transaction AnalysisPrecedent transaction analysis is a method of company valuation where past M&A transactions are used to value a comparable business today. is another form of relative valuation where you compare the company in question to other businesses that have recently been sold or acquired in the same industry. These transaction values include the take-over premium included in the price for which they were acquired.
The values represent the en bloc value of a business. They are useful for M&A transactions but can easily become stale-dated and no longer reflective of the current market as time passes. They are less commonly used than Comps or market trading multiples.
Precedent Transaction AnalysisPrecedent transaction analysis is a method of company valuation where past M&A transactions are used to value a comparable business today. Example Transaction Analysis
Method 3: DCF Analysis
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)DCF Model Training Free GuideA DCF model is a specific type of financial model used to value a business. The model is simply a forecast of a company’s unlevered free cash flow analysis is an intrinsic valueIntrinsic ValueThe intrinsic value of a business (or any investment security) is the present value of all expected future cash flows, discounted at the appropriate discount rate. Unlike relative forms of valuation that look at comparable companies, intrinsic valuation looks only at the inherent value of a business on its own. approach where an analyst forecasts the business’ unlevered free cash flowCash FlowCash Flow (CF) is the increase or decrease in the amount of money a business, institution, or individual has. In finance, it is used to describe the amount of cash (currency) into the future and discounts it back to today at the firm’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACCWACCWACC is a firm’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital and represents its blended cost of capital including equity and debt.).
A DCF analysis is performed by building a financial model in Excel and requires an extensive amount of detail and analysis. It is the most detailed of the three approaches and requires the most estimates and assumptions. However, the effort required for preparing a DCF model will also often result in the most accurate valuation. A DCF model allows the analyst to forecast value based on different scenarios and even perform a sensitivity analysis.
For larger businesses, the DCF value is commonly a sum-of-the-parts analysis, where different business units are modeled individually and added together. To learn more, see CFI’s DCF model infographicDCF Analysis InfographicHow discounted cash flow (DCF) really works. This DCF analysis infographic walks through the various steps involved in building a DCF model in Excel..
Investment bankers will often put together a football field chartFootball Field Chart TemplateA football field chart is used to display a range of values for a business. Download our FREE Excel football field chart template and learn how to make one. to summarize the range of values for a business based on the different valuation methods used. Below is an example of a football field graph, which is typically included in an investment banking pitch bookInvestment Banking Pitch BookHow to make an investment banking pitch book. This guide will teach you what's included, how to make an IB pitch book, and provides examples of slides..
As you can see, the graph summarizes the company’s 52-week trading range (it’s stock price, assuming it’s public), the range of prices analysts have for the stock, the range of values from comparable valuation modeling, the range from precedent transaction analysis, and finally the DCF valuation method. The orange dotted line in the middle represents the average valuation from all the methods.
Football Field Chart TemplateA football field chart is used to display a range of values for a business. Download our FREE Excel football field chart template and learn how to make one.
Image: Free Football Field ChartFootball Field Chart TemplateThis football field chart template can be used to summarize a range of values for a business, based on different valuation methods. The purpose of the football field chart is to show how much someone might be willing to pay for a business, whether acquiring all of it, part of it, or even a single share (depending on th.
More Valuation Methods (Video)
The cost approach, which is not as commonly used in corporate finance, looks at what it actually costs or would cost to rebuild the business. This approach ignores any value creation or cash flow generation and only looks at things through the lens of “cost = value.”
Another valuation method for a company that is a going concern is called the ability to pay analysis. This approach looks at the maximum price an acquirer can pay for a business while still hitting some target. For example, if a private equityPrivate Equity Career ProfilePrivate equity analysts & associates perform similar work as in investment banking. The job includes financial modeling, valuation, long hours & high pay. Private equity (PE) is a common career progression for investment bankers (IB). Analysts in IB often dream of “graduating” to the buy side, firm needs to hit a hurdle rateHurdle Rate DefinitionA hurdle rate, which is also known as minimum acceptable rate of return (MARR), is the minimum required rate of return or target rate that investors are expecting to receive on an investment. The rate is determined by assessing the cost of capital, risks involved, current opportunities in business expansion, rates of return for similar investments, and other factors of 30%, what is the maximum price it can pay for the business?
If the company does not continue to operate, then a liquidation value will be estimated based on breaking up and selling the company’s assets. This value is usually very discounted as it assumes the assets will be sold as quickly as possible to any buyer.
Additional Valuation Resources
To learn more about how to value a business or to prepare for a career in corporate finance, we’ve got all the resources you need! Here are some of our most popular resources relate to valuation methods:
Free Corporate Finance Fundamentals CourseCorporate Finance FundamentalsThis free Introduction to Corporate Finance Course is perfect for anyone in or starting a career in investment banking, equity research, and accounting.
Valuation InfographicValuation InfographicOver the years, we've spent a lot of time thinking about and working on business valuation across a broad range of transactions. This valuation infographic
Terminal ValueDCF Terminal Value FormulaDCF Terminal value formula is used to calculate the value a business beyond the forecast period in DCF analysis. It's a major part of a model
Weighted Average Cost of CapitalWACCWACC is a firm’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital and represents its blended cost of capital including equity and debt.
How to Get a Job in Investment BankingHow to Get a Job in Investment Banking?This guide will outline how to get a job in investment banking using out top three tactics: networking and resume, interview prep, and technical skills
Excel Formulas for FinanceExcel Formulas Cheat SheetCFI's Excel formulas cheat sheet will give you all the most important formulas to perform financial analysis and modeling in Excel spreadsheets. If you want to become a master of Excel financial analysis and an expert on building financial models then you've come to the right place.
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