CFA 50: Equity Valuation

An analyst has determined that the appropriate EV/EBITDA for Rainbow Company is 10.2. The analyst has also collected the following forecasted information for Rainbow Company: EBITDA = $22,000,000 Market value of debt = $56,000,000 Cash = $1,500,000 The value of equity for Rainbow Company is closest to: A. $169 million. B. $224 million. C. $281 million.

A is correct. EV = 10.2 × 22,000,000 = $224,400,000 Equity value = EV - Debt + Cash = 224,400,000 - 56,000,000 + 1,500,000 = $169,900,000

Which type of equity valuation model is most likely to be preferable when one is comparing similar companies? A. A multiplier model. B. A present value model. C. An asset-based valuation model.

A is correct. Although all models can be used to compare various companies, multiplier models have the advantage of reducing varying fundamental data points into a format that allows direct comparisons. As long as the analyst applies the data in a consistent manner for all the companies, this approach provides useful comparative data.

Which of the following is most likely a reason for using asset-based valuation? A. The analyst is valuing a privately held company. B. The company has a relatively high level of intangible assets. C. The market values of assets and liabilities are different from the balance sheet values.

A is correct. Asset-based valuations are most often used when an analyst is valuing private enterprises. Both B and C are considerations in asset-based valuations but are more likely to be reasons to avoid that valuation model rather than reasons to use it.

In the free cash flow to equity (FCFE) model, the intrinsic value of a share of stock is calculated as: A. the present value of future expected FCFE. B. the present value of future expected FCFE plus net borrowing. C. the present value of future expected FCFE minus fixed capital investment.

A is correct. In the FCFE model, the intrinsic value of stock is calculated by discounting expected future FCFE to present value. No further adjustments are required.

The primary difference between P/E multiples based on comparables and P/E multiples based on fundamentals is that fundamentals-based P/Es take into account: A. future expectations. B. the law of one price. C. historical information.

A is correct. Multiples based on comparables are grounded in the law of one price and take into account historical multiple values. In contrast, P/E multiples based on fundamentals can be based on the Gordon growth model, which takes into account future expected dividends.

Which of the following statements regarding the calculation of the enterprise value multiple is most likely correct? A. Operating income may be used instead of EBITDA. B. EBITDA may not be used if company earnings are negative. Book value of debt may be used instead of market value of debt.

A is correct. Operating income may be used in place of EBITDA when calculating the enterprise value multiple. EBITDA may be used when company earnings are negative because EBITDA is usually positive. The book value of debt cannot be used in place of market value of debt.

An analyst has prepared a table of the average trailing twelve-month price-to-earning (P/E), price-to-cash flow (P/CF), and price-to-sales (P/S) for the Tanaka Corporation for the years 2005 to 2008. Year P/E P/CF P/S 2005 4.9 5.4 1.2 2006 6.1 8.6 1.5 2007 8.3 7.3 1.9 2008 9.2 7.9 2.3 As of the date of the valuation in 2009, the trailing twelve-month P/E, P/CF, and P/S are, respectively, 9.2, 8.0, and 2.5. Based on the information provided, the analyst may reasonably conclude that Tanaka shares are most likely: A. overvalued. B. undervalued. C. fairly valued.

A is correct. Tanaka shares are most likely overvalued. As the table below shows, all the 2009 multiples are currently above their 2005-2008 averages. Year P/E P/CF P/R 2005 4.9 5.4 1.2 2006 6.1 8.6 1.5 2007 8.3 7.3 1.9 2008 9.2 7.9 2.3 Average 7.1 7.3 1.7

An equity analyst has been asked to estimate the intrinsic value of the common stock of Omega Corporation, a leading manufacturer of automobile seats. Omega is in a mature industry, and both its earnings and dividends are expected to grow at a rate of 3 percent annually. Which of the following is most likely to be the best model for determining the intrinsic value of an Omega share? A. Gordon growth model. B. Free cash flow to equity model. C. Multistage dividend discount model.

A is correct. The company is a mature company with a steadily growing dividend rate. The two-stage (or multistage) model is unnecessary because the dividend growth rate is expected to remain stable. Although an FCFE model could be used, that model is more often chosen for companies that currently pay no dividends.

An analyst estimates the intrinsic value of a stock to be in the range of €17.85 to €21.45. The current market price of the stock is €24.35. This stock is most likely: A. overvalued. B. undervalued. C. fairly valued.

A is correct. The current market price of the stock exceeds the upper bound of the analyst's estimate of the intrinsic value of the stock.

An analyst gathers or estimates the following information about a stock: Current price per share €22.56 Current annual dividend per share €1.60 Annual dividend growth rate for Years 1-4 9.00% Annual dividend growth rate for Years 5+ 4.00% Required rate of return 12% Based on a dividend discount model, the stock is most likely: A. undervalued. B. fairly valued. C. overvalued.

A is correct. The current price of €22.56 is less than the intrinsic value (V0) of €24.64; therefore, the stock appears to be currently undervalued. According to the two-stage dividend discount model: V0=∑t=1nD0(1+gS)t(1+r)t+Vn(1+r)n and Vn=Dn+1r−gL Dn+1 = D0(1 + gS)n(1 + gL) D1 = €1.60 × 1.09 = €1.744 D2 = €1.60 × (1.09)2 = €1.901 D3 = €1.60 × (1.09)3 = €2.072 D4 = €1.60 × (1.09)4 = €2.259 D5 = [€1.60 × (1.09)4](1.04) = €2.349 V4 = €2.349/(0.12 - 0.04) = €29.363 V0=1.744(1.12)1+1.901(1.12)2+2.072(1.12)3+2.259(1.12)4+29.363(1.12)4=1.557+1.515+1.475+1.436+18.661=€24.64(whichisgreaterthanthecurrentpriceof€22.56).

An analyst determines the intrinsic value of an equity security to be equal to $55. If the current price is $47, the equity is most likely: A. undervalued. B. fairly valued. C. overvalued.

A is correct. The market price is less than the estimated intrinsic, or fundamental, value.

An analyst makes the following statement: "Use of P/E and other multiples for analysis is not effective because the multiples are based on historical data and because not all companies have positive accounting earnings." The analyst's statement is most likely: A. inaccurate with respect to both historical data and earnings. B. accurate with respect to historical data and inaccurate with respect to earnings. C. inaccurate with respect to historical data and accurate with respect to earnings.

A is correct. The statement is inaccurate in both respects. Although multiples can be calculated from historical data, forecasted values can be used as well. For companies without accounting earnings, several other multiples can be used. These multiples are often specific to a company's industry or sector and include price-to-sales and price-to-cash flow.

An analyst has gathered the following information for the Oudin Corporation: Expected earnings per share = €5.70 Expected dividends per share = €2.70 Dividends are expected to grow at 2.75 percent per year indefinitely The required rate of return is 8.35 percent Based on the information provided, the price/earnings multiple for Oudin is closest to: A. 5.7. B. 8.5. C. 9.4.

B is correct. P0E1=D1E1r−g=2.75.70.0835−0.0275=8.5

Hideki Corporation has just paid a dividend of ¥450 per share. Annual dividends are expected to grow at the rate of 4 percent per year over the next four years. At the end of four years, shares of Hideki Corporation are expected to sell for ¥9000. If the required rate of return is 12 percent, the intrinsic value of a share of Hideki Corporation is closest to: A. ¥5,850. B. ¥7,220. C. ¥7,670.

B is correct. V0=D1(1+r)+D2(1+r)2+D3(1+r)3+D4(1+r)4+P4(1+r)4=468(1.12)+486.72(1.12)2+506.19(1.12)3+526.44(1.12)4+9000(1.12)4=¥7,220

A disadvantage of the EV method for valuing equity is that the following information may be difficult to obtain: A. Operating income. B. Market value of debt. C. Market value of equity.

B is correct. According to the reading, analysts may have not have access to market quotations for company debt.

Asset-based valuation models are best suited to companies where the capital structure does not have a high proportion of: A. debt. B. intangible assets. C. current assets and liabilities.

B is correct. Intangible assets are hard to value. Therefore, asset-based valuation models work best for companies that do not have a high proportion of intangible assets.

An analyst gathers the following information about two companies: Alpha Corp. Delta Co. Current price per share $57.32 $18.93 Last year's EPS $3.82 $1.35 Current year's estimated EPS $4.75 $1.40 Which of the following statements is most accurate? A. Delta has the higher trailing P/E multiple and lower current estimated P/E multiple. B. Alpha has the higher trailing P/E multiple and lower current estimated P/E multiple. C. Alpha has the higher trailing P/E multiple and higher current estimated P/E multiple.

B is correct. P/E = Current price/EPS, and Estimated P/E = Current price/Estimated EPS. Alpha P/E = $57.32/$3.82 = 15.01 Alpha estimated P/E = $57.32/4.75 = 12.07 Delta P/E = $18.93/$1.35 = 14.02 Delta estimated P/E = $18.93/$1.40 = 13.52

An analyst who bases the calculation of intrinsic value on dividend-paying capacity rather than expected dividends will most likely use the: A. dividend discount model. B. free cash flow to equity model. C. cash flow from operations model.

B is correct. The FCFE model assumes that dividend-paying capacity is reflected in FCFE.

The Gordon growth model can be used to value dividend-paying companies that are: A. expected to grow very fast. B. in a mature phase of growth. C. very sensitive to the business cycle.

B is correct. The Gordon growth model (also known as the constant growth model) can be used to value dividend-paying companies in a mature phase of growth. A stable dividend growth rate is often a plausible assumption for such companies.

A Canadian life insurance company has an issue of 4.80 percent, $25 par value, perpetual, non-convertible, non-callable preferred shares outstanding. The required rate of return on similar issues is 4.49 percent. The intrinsic value of a preferred share is closest to: A. $25.00. B. $26.75. C. $28.50.

B is correct. The expected annual dividend is 4.80% × $25 = $1.20. The value of a preferred share is $1.20/0.0449 = $26.73.

Enterprise value is most often determined as market capitalization of common equity and preferred stock minus the value of cash equivalents plus the: A. book value of debt. B. market value of debt. C. market value of long-term debt.

B is correct. The market value of debt must be calculated and taken out of the enterprise value. Enterprise value, sometimes known as the cost of a takeover, is the cost of the purchase of the company, which would include the assumption of the company's debts at market value.

Two analysts estimating the value of a non-convertible, non-callable, perpetual preferred stock with a constant dividend arrive at different estimated values. The most likely reason for the difference is that the analysts used different: A. time horizons. B. required rates of return. C. estimated dividend growth rates.

B is correct. The required rate of return, r, can vary widely depending on the inputs and is not unique. A preferred stock with a constant dividend would not have a growth rate to estimate, and the investor's time horizon would have no effect on the calculation of intrinsic value.

An analyst is attempting to calculate the intrinsic value of a company and has gathered the following company data: EBITDA, total market value, and market value of cash and short-term investments, liabilities, and preferred shares. The analyst is least likely to use: A. a multiplier model. B. a discounted cash flow model. C. an asset-based valuation model.

B is correct. To use a discounted cash flow model, the analyst will require FCFE or dividend data. In addition, the analyst will need data to calculate an appropriate discount rate.

Which of the following is most likely considered a weakness of present value models? A. Present value models cannot be used for companies that do not pay dividends. B. Small changes in model assumptions and inputs can result in large changes in the computed intrinsic value of the security. C. The value of the security depends on the investor's holding period; thus, comparing valuations of different companies for different investors is difficult.

B is correct. Very small changes in inputs, such as required rate of return or dividend growth rate, can result in large changes to the valuation model output. Some present value models, such as FCFE models, can be used to value companies without dividends. Also, the intrinsic value of a security is independent of the investor's holding period.

An analyst is attempting to value shares of the Dominion Company. The company has just paid a dividend of $0.58 per share. Dividends are expected to grow by 20 percent next year and 15 percent the year after that. From the third year onward, dividends are expected to grow at 5.6 percent per year indefinitely. If the required rate of return is 8.3 percent, the intrinsic value of the stock is closest to: A. $26.00. B. $27.00. C. $28.00.

C is correct. V0=D1(1+r)+D2(1+r)2+P2(1+r)2=0.70(1.083)+0.80(1.083)2+31.29(1.083)2=$28.01 Note that D1 = 0.58(1.20) = 0.70, D2 = 0.58(1.20)(1.15) = 0.80, and P2 = D3/(k - g) = 0.80(1.056)/(0.083 - 0.056) = 31.29

An investor is considering the purchase of a common stock with a $2.00 annual dividend. The dividend is expected to grow at a rate of 4 percent annually. If the investor's required rate of return is 7 percent, the intrinsic value of the stock is closest to: A. $50.00. B. $66.67. C. $69.33.

C is correct. According to the Gordon growth model, V0 = D1/(r - g). In this case, D1 = $2.00 × 1.04 = $2.08, so V0 = $2.08/(0.07 - 0.04) = $69.3333 = $69.33.

An investor expects to purchase shares of common stock today and sell them after two years. The investor has estimated dividends for the next two years, D1 and D2, and the selling price of the stock two years from now, P2. According to the dividend discount model, the intrinsic value of the stock today is the present value of: A. next year's dividend, D1. B. future expected dividends, D1 and D2. C. future expected dividends and price—D1, D2 and P2.

C is correct. According to the dividend discount model, the intrinsic value of a stock today is the present value of all future dividends. In this case, the intrinsic value is the present value of D1, D2, and P2. Note that P2 is the present value at Period 2 of all future dividends from Period 3 to infinity.

In asset-based valuation models, the intrinsic value of a common share of stock is based on the: A. estimated market value of the company's assets. B. estimated market value of the company's assets plus liabilities. C. estimated market value of the company's assets minus liabilities.

C is correct. Asset-based valuation models calculate the intrinsic value of equity by subtracting liabilities from the market value of assets.

With respect to present value models, which of the following statements is most accurate? A. Present value models can be used only if a stock pays a dividend. B. Present value models can be used only if a stock pays a dividend or is expected to pay a dividend. C. Present value models can be used for stocks that currently pay a dividend, are expected to pay a dividend, or are not expected to pay a dividend.

C is correct. Dividend discount models can be used for a stock that pays a current dividend or a stock that is expected to pay a dividend. FCFE can be used for both of those stocks and for stocks that do not, or are not expected to, pay dividends in the near future. Both of these models are forms of present value models.

The market value of equity for a company can be calculated as enterprise value: A. minus market value of debt, preferred stock, and short-term investments. B. plus market value of debt and preferred stock minus short-term investments. C. minus market value of debt and preferred stock plus short-term investments.

C is correct. Enterprise value is calculated as the market value of equity plus the market value of debt and preferred stock minus short-term investments. Therefore, the market value of equity is enterprise value minus the market value of debt and preferred stock plus short-term investments.

Which of the following is most likely used in a present value model? A. Enterprise value. B. Price to free cash flow. C. Free cash flow to equity.

C is correct. It is a form of present value, or discounted cash flow, model. Both EV and FCFE are forms of multiplier models.

Book value is least likely to be considered when using: A. a multiplier model. an asset-based valuation model. C. a present value model.

C is correct. Multiplier valuation models (in the form of P/B) and asset-based valuation models (in the form of adjustments to book value) use book value, whereas present value models typically discount future expected cash flows.

The Beasley Corporation has just paid a dividend of $1.75 per share. If the required rate of return is 12.3 percent per year and dividends are expected to grow indefinitely at a constant rate of 9.2 percent per year, the intrinsic value of Beasley Corporation stock is closest to: A. $15.54. B. $56.45. $61.65.

C is correct. P0 = D1/(r - g) = 1.75(1.092)/(0.123 - 0.092) = $61.65.

An analyst gathers the following information about similar companies in the banking sector: First Bank Prime Bank Pioneer Trust P/B 1.10 0.60 0.60 P/E 8.40 11.10 8.30 Which of the companies is most likely to be undervalued? A. First Bank. B. Prime Bank. C. Pioneer Trust.

C is correct. Relative to the others, Pioneer Trust has the lowest P/E multiple and the P/B multiple is tied for the lowest with Prime Bank. Given the law of one price, similar companies should trade at similar P/B and P/E levels. Thus, based on the information presented, Pioneer is most likely to be undervalued.

The best model to use when valuing a young dividend-paying company that is just entering the growth phase is most likely the: A. Gordon growth model. B. two-stage dividend discount model. C. three-stage dividend discount model.

C is correct. The Gordon growth model is best suited to valuing mature companies. The two-stage model is best for companies that are transitioning from a growth stage to a mature stage. The three-stage model is appropriate for young companies just entering the growth phase.

A price earnings ratio that is derived from the Gordon growth model is inversely related to the: A. growth rate. B. dividend payout ratio. C. required rate of return.

C is correct. The justified forward P/E is calculated as follows: P0E1=D1E1r−g P/E is inversely related to the required rate of return, r, and directly related to the growth rate, g, and the dividend payout ratio, D/E.