If you use a company's internally developed projections when developing a discounted cash flow estimate of value, what are the real risks? This article offers a practical guide to using a company's budget and plan for utilizing future projections in a discounted cash flow calculation. ...

The Journal of Accountancy is reporting that the SEC’s strategic plan for 2014-2018 contains an initiative that involves reviewing whether a “single set of high-quality global accounting standards is achievable”.  While not specifically mentioning the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) the location in the 39-page document where the initiative appears also states that the consideration is par ...

Separability and transferability are key This overview examines intangible assets within business combinations through the lens of FAS 141. Fair value is covered as well as identification and classification protocols. ...

While real estate investment trusts (REITS) have strengthened their credit profiles in the last few years, Fitch Ratings is anticipating a decline in their positive rating for 2014.  According to Fitch, the upgrade/downgrade ratio for U.S. REITS has remained at 10:1 since 2011 and that most have now completed their deleveraging techniques.  As a result, representatives for Fitch expressed that “credit metri ...

Accuracy is everything This article provides an overview of the significance of regression analysis in business valuations, with a particular emphasis when applying the Market Approach. The theory is presented as to why regression analysis is superior to ratio analysis. ...

Has the Securities and Exchange Commission given M&A business brokers the “green light” to engage in securities transactions? The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a January 31, 2014, No-Action Letter indicating it would not take enforcement action against an M&A broker contemplating a securities transaction. ...

Fannie Mae has officially launched a new website focused solely on appraiser quality monitoring.  The site is based on Fannie’s new appraisal review process, which was created to support data accuracy and consistency.  Through the site, lenders now have access to a list of appraisers whose reports are subject to a complete and thorough review by the agency, as well as those whose work is no longer accepted. ...

In the “good old days" before the crash of 2008, Wells Fargo generated $100 billion in mortgage revenue every quarter.  Now, it makes barely half that.  As the largest US bank by market cap, it’s now seeking alternative business and product lines to fill that unfathomable financial gap.  Sources say that Wells Fargo is exploring the idea that the virtual currency, Bitcoin, might be the perfect revenue repla ...

Capturing value within the horizon using accounting-based valuation This article examines two alternative approaches to the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Method when seeking to capture the majority of total value within the horizon. A closer look is given to the Residual Enterprise Income (REI) Method as well as the Abnormal Enterprise Income Growth Method (AGR) in comparison to the DCF Method, and a determina ...

In a well-supported article by zerohedge.com, the author suggests a “fix” to the current problems with price-to-earnings (P/E) multiples.  Among the questions answered are:  Can P/Es tell us anything about stock valuations during periods of earning recessions?  Is a bear market closer than we think?  If so, when is the best time to buy?  What do today’s inflated valuations mean for long-term returns?  Why a ...

In a brief, but telling article from Inc.com, Jeremy Quittner cites statistics from the November 2013 Janus Monthly Equity Report that suggests the tech and social media industries may be heading for a burst of 1990’s proportions.  This is due largely to the outrageously enormous public debuts of companies like Facebook and most recently, Twitter.  The stratospheric valuations only become more unrealistic w ...

According to Tax Court decisions Part 1 of this article examines eight of the 16 most common mistakes made in business valuation reports according to U.S. Tax Court decisions. Business valuation textbooks, training manuals, and conference presentations may do a good job of teaching the right ways to conduct valuations. But in some respects, the most authoritative teacher of what is right and, just as import ...

The Black Scholes Model The true value of a stock option is often greater than its intrinsic value. This article takes a theoretical approach to valuation that focuses on the time value of money with the Black-Scholes Option Pricing Model. ...

New technologies are emerging in the market to fast, that we barely acquaint ourselves with one before two more burst onto the scene.  Not all of these advancements will impact our world or even still be around a decade from now.  The ones that do last, however, will transform the economy and our lives in significant ways.  In an extremely informative and interactive report by McKinsey & Company titled, ...

The Frontline of Fraud Risk Management Internal fraud occurs as the result of a series of weaknesses within internal control systems, which are at the top of the fraud risk management pyramid. This article defines the three essential types of internal controls, their five interrelated components, and how they can be instituted for maximum protection. ...

When is it appropriate for highway/heavy construction contractors? This article discusses the appropriateness of using the Asset-Based Approach for minority interests in companies where that approach results in higher value than the Income or Market Approach. ...

A view of the use and limits of option models (Part 2 of 2) Option pricing models (OPMs) are increasingly used to estimate the discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) in the business valuation profession. Some analysts disagree about whether OPMs are applicable for estimating the DLOM. Since OPMs were originally derived to determine option prices for publicly traded securities, many analysts question the ...

Beginning this year, the PCAOB is making it a priority to examine whether or not firms that offer non-audit service lines are compromising the quality and accuracy of their audit services by doing so. In yet-to-be-scheduled roundtable discussions with audit firm leaders, regulators are expected to delve into the potential implications for such consulting arrangements. According to PCAOB chairman, James Doty ...

New private company cost of capital model delivers consistent and observable results The Implied Private Company Pricing Line (IPCPL) Cost of Capital Model seeks to eliminate pitfalls for unsystematic risk, liquidity, small stock premium, PTE taxes, and cash/leverage by utilizing real transaction, market-clearing prices between buyers and sellers of comparable small private businesses. ...

A view of the use and limits of option models (Part 1 of 2) Option pricing models (OPMs) are increasingly used to estimate the discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) in the business valuation profession. Some analysts disagree about whether OPMs are applicable for estimating the DLOM. Since OPMs were originally derived to determine option prices for publicly traded securities, many analysts question the ...