Introduction

Valuation multiples, also known as comparables or company valuation ratios, are fundamental financial tools used to compare a company’s size and performance with other anlyzed companies. Valuation multiples are used by business owners, investors and analysts to determine the relative value of a business or asset by comparing different financial ratios.

The importance of valuation multiples lies in their ability to provide investors with a contextual understanding of the value of a business and its potential performance in comparison to its peers. They are essential in the process of financial modeling when analyzing a stock or assessing a business’s performance.

This blog will provide an in-depth guide to calculate valuation multiples through financial modeling. It will provide insight into the importance of the process and introduce strategies to help identify the most pertinent multiples for the calculations. Additionally, this blog will discuss the different methods used to calculate valuation multiples, such as the dividend discount model, discounted cash flow, and the market approach.


Key Takeaways

  • Understand the importance of valuation multiples and financial modeling
  • Learn the different methods used to calculate valuation multiples
  • Discover strategies to help identify the most pertinent multiples for the calculations
  • Explore the different approaches used to calculate valuation multiples, such as the dividend discount model, discounted cash flow, and the market approach

Steps to Calculate Valuation Multiples

Calculating the valuation multiples of a company is an important part of financial modeling. Companies use this information to assess their stock prices and to make decisions in mergers and acquisitions. Valuation multiples provide a quick and easy way to compare the value of a company relative to its financial performance. The following steps provide a guide on how to calculate valuation multiples:

Select an Appropriate Company

The first step to calculate valuation multiples is to select a company that is relevant to the analysis you are conducting. This may be a company in the same industry, in the same geographic location, or in the same size range. Once you have selected an appropriate company, it is important to have access to its financial statement to use in the analysis.

Understand the Financial Information of the Company

The next step is to understand the financial information of the company. This includes analyzing the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement. It is important to understand the key ratios and metrics of the company that will be used in the analysis, such as the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, the enterprise value-to-sales (EV/S) ratio, and the enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio.

Calculate and Compare Valuations Multiples

Once you have obtained the necessary financial information, the final step is to calculate and compare the valuation multiples. This can be done by using the financial ratios and metrics mentioned in the previous section. It is important to note that the multiple is calculated using the market value of the equity and the enterprise value of the firm.

In addition to calculating the individual multiples, it is important to compare them to the industry averages. This will provide a point of reference to determine if the company is undervalued or overvalued compared to its peers. It is also important to note that the comparison should be made over a period of time to analyze any possible changes.


Using Financial Modeling

Calculating valuation multiples can be done manually, but financial modeling is often the most accurate and reliable method. This guide will walk through the key steps of using financial modeling to calculate valuation multiples.

Establishing Key Assumptions

The most important part of using financial modeling to calculate valuation multiples is establishing key assumptions. These assumptions should be based on factors such as the company's current financial statements, the industry the company is in, and the company's growth plans. Depending on the situation, some assumptions may need to be more conservative or aggressive to reflect the company's outlook.

Inputting Assumptions into Financial Models

Once the assumptions have been established, they can be inputted into financial models. These models will take the key assumptions and combine them with other accounting items such as operating expenses, capital expenditure, taxes, and depreciation to produce projections for cash flow. This cash flow can then be used to calculate the company's valuation multiples.

Calculating Accurately and Adjusting Assumptions

Financial models are only as accurate as the assumptions they are based off of. As a result, it is important to ensure that the assumptions are reasonable and reflect the company's outlook. If the results are not in line with expectations, the assumptions used in the model should be adjusted until they accurately reflect the company's outlook.

Calculating valuation multiples using financial modeling is an effective and reliable way to get an accurate picture of a company's true value. By understanding and establishing the key assumptions, inputting them into a financial model, and then adjusting them as needed, calculating accurate valuation multiples is achievable.


Selecting the Proper Valuation Multiple

Valuation multiples provide an estimate of value for businesses, by taking into account the current market price of a company's stock or equity. Valuation multiples offer an efficient way to compare companies across a specific sector, helping investors make more informed decisions about their investments. This article will explain three methods of calculating valuation multiples: Comparative Method, Precedent Transaction Method, and Discounted Cash Flow Method.

Comparative Method

The comparative method of calculating valuation multiples involves the comparison of a target company with the same or similar publicly traded companies. This method looks at the financial ratios and market valuations of comparable companies, allowing investors to make an informed decision on the value of the target company. This method is most useful when evaluating a company's historical performance and could be used in calculating market values such as equity, debt and cash.

Precedent Transaction Method

The precedent transaction method of calculating valuation multiples involves taking into account the size and value of publicly traded shares of similar companies. This method looks at the sales price paid for a stake in a specific company, relative to its stock price and market capitalization. By comparing the performance and financial ratios of the comparable companies, investors can evaluate which ones offer the best valuation multiple, enabling them to make a more informed decision about the target company's value.

Discounted Cash Flow Method

The Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method is used to estimate the present value of a company's future cash flow. This method involves estimating the future cash flow of a company and discounting it by a set rate to arrive at a present value. Investors can use this method to estimate the value of a specific company based on the future cash flow and current market trends. DCF is a difficult and complex method, and investors should seek professional advice or use financial models to accurately estimate the value of a specific company.


Common Valuation Multiples

Valuation multiples are used to derive a valuation for a company by applying a multiple to a key financial metric. Three of the most common valuation multiples used for financial modeling are the price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, enterprise value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, and the price-to-sales (P/S) ratio.

Price/Earnings Multiple

The price-to-earnings ratio, or P/E ratio, is a popular metric used to measure the value of a company relative to its earnings. The P/E ratio is calculated by dividing the current stock price of the company by its earnings per share (EPS).

The P/E ratio is useful in comparing companies within a similar industry since it allows investors to compare the company’s share price to its earnings. It’s important to consider the P/E ratio in the context of the industry and other factors such as the company’s growth potential, debt levels, and profitability.

Enterprise Value/EBITDA Multiple

The enterprise value-to-EBITDA ratio, or EV/EBITDA ratio, is a measure of a company’s valuation relative to its operating performance. This multiple compares the adverse effects of both debt and equity holders on a company’s financials. The EV/EBITDA ratio is calculated by dividing the company’s enterprise value by its EBITDA.

The EV/EBITDA ratio is useful for comparing companies within a similar sector or industry, as it takes into account factors such as debt levels and profitability. Additionally, comparing EV/EBITDA to a company’s peers allows investors to see how the company’s valuation compares to its peers.

Price/Sales Multiple

The price-to-sales ratio, or P/S ratio, is another measure of a business’s value relative to its operating performance. This metric is calculated by dividing the company’s share price by its annual sales per share. This multiple is most useful for companies with rapidly increasing sales and for comparison of companies in the same industry.

The P/S ratio can be used to value companies in the same industry since it allows comparison of a company’s ability to generate revenue and profits to individuals in its industry. It also allows investors to judge how efficiently a company is operating relative to its peers.


Challenges of Calculating Valuation Multiples

Calculating valuation multiples is not a straightforward process and presents several challenges. Primarily, calculating accurate valuations and selecting the best multiple to use can be difficult. In addition, predicting future revenue and costs can be complicated.

Difficulty of Obtaining Accurate Valuations

When attempting to calculate an accurate valuation of an asset or company, there are multiple variables that must be considered, such as current market prices, sales and earnings trends, industry trends, and more. Additionally, variables from past performance must also be evaluated to ensure that the most accurate valuation is obtained. With so many variables to consider, the process of obtaining accurate valuations can be difficult and complicated.

Difficulty of Selecting the Best Multiple

Determining which multiple is the most appropriate can be challenging. It is important to select a multiple that accurately reflects the market conditions and is appropriate for the valuation situation. If the wrong multiple is chosen, then the resulting valuation could be inaccurate or misleading. It can be difficult to identify which multiple is best in each situation.

Predicting Future Revenue and Costs

Another challenge of calculating valuation multiple is predicting future income streams or costs. When attempting to calculate the future value of an asset or company, it may be necessary to forecast future cash flows and other costs. This can be complicated, especially as future cash flows are highly dependent on external factors and other unpredictable changes.


Conclusion

Valuation multiples are an important tool for financial modeling. In this blog post, we have explored the key steps for calculating valuation multiples with a financial model. We discussed how to identify the multiples to calculate, set up the data sources for the information, generate the ‘denominator’ of information to calculate the multiple, and generate the ‘numerator’ of information to calculate the multiple.

When utilizing valuation multiples with a financial model, it is important to stay organized and efficient to get the best results. Setting up the financial model initially with the correct metrics, information, and formulas will help to avoid any errors and inefficiencies during the process. Making any changes later on in the financial model with missing information may prove more difficult, so it is best to avoid any potential alterations if possible.

Summary of the key points from the blog post

  • Identify the multiples you would like to calculate.
  • Set up the data sources.
  • Generate the ‘denominator’ of information to calculate the multiple.
  • Generate the ‘numerator’ of information to calculate the multiple.
  • Stay organized and efficient.
  • Avoid making any unnecessary changes.

Summary of how to calculate valuation multiples

To calculate valuation multiples, a financial model should be constructed with the proper metrics, information, and formulas. The data sources must include both the ‘denominator’ and ‘numerator’ of information that determine the value of the multiple being calculated. Calculating the multiple involves taking the ‘numerator’ value divided by the ‘denominator’ value to determine the value of the multiple.

Link to further resources for readers to explore

For further information on calculating valuation multiples using financial modeling, readers can visit the following sources:

Excel financial model

  • 5-Year Financial Projection
  • 40+ Charts & Metrics
  • DCF & Multiple Valuation
  • Free Email Support