Praveen
Of the three approaches, the one that is least defensible is the use of a multiple to estimate terminal value. Since this multiple comes from looking at how comparable companies trade in the market, it effectively converts the discounted cashflow valuation into a relative valuation. Liquidation value, which in practice often becomes equated with book value, and terminal value, which comes from assuming a stable growth rate forever, will converge if we assume that the firm makes no excess returns in perpetuity. If you do assume that a firm can make excess returns in perpetuity, liquidation value will generally yield a more conservative estimate of value than the stable growth model.
If you are valuing a private company where you are uncomfortable assuming that the firm will be a going concern forever, liquidation value is the more sensible choice. If you are valuing a publicly traded company with significant competitive advantages and potential excess returns, it is best to stick with a going concern assumption and value the firm assuming a constant growth rate forever.
Dec 19 2013 01:24 PM