RE: Price target upgraded. Buy rating1 Mar 2022 21:11
there are three main valuation methods used by industry practitioners: (1) DCF analysis, (2) comparable company analysis, and (3) precedent transactions. These are the most common methods of valuation used in investment banking, equity research, private equity, corporate development, mergers & acquisitions (M&A), leveraged buyouts (LBO), and most areas of finance.
Overview of my Valuation Methods
The Market Approach, which is a form of relative valuation and frequently used in the industry. It includes Comparable Analysis and Precedent Transactions.
The discounted cash flow (DCF) approach is a form of intrinsic valuation and is the most detailed and thorough approach to valuation modeling. I describe the methods used in the Market and DCF approaches in my.podcast. regards
Method 1: Comparable Analysis (“Comps”)
Comparable company analysis (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/EBITDA, or other ratios. Multiples of EBITDA 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).
Example Comps Table
Method 2: Precedent Transactions
Precedent transactions analysis 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.
Example Transaction Analys