• QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Tariffs and Uncertainty

    Dissecting the Impact on Valuation Drivers What impact, if any, will the imposition of tariffs have on the valuation of assets? How will the imposition of tariffs impact modeling? In this article, the author shares his thoughts on the various factors and industries that valuation professionals must weigh to prepare a valuation. Economic Uncertainty in Valuation Economic uncertainty arises when key macroeconomic indicators—such as GDP growth, interest rates, and fiscal policies—become unpredictable. This unpredictability reduces the accuracy of forecasts and limits visibility into future performance. For valuation professionals, it complicates the modeling of cash flows and expands the range of…

  • Litigation Consulting - QuickRead Top Story - Valuation/Appraisal

    Understanding the Income Approach

    Forecasting Errors One of the common pitfalls in applying the income approach is committing forecasting errors. To understand the impact of this error, this article discusses the importance of the income approach in business valuations and areas that require careful evaluation. One of the common pitfalls in applying the income approach is committing forecasting errors. To understand the impact of this error, let us first discuss the importance of the income approach in business valuations. Unlike the asset-based approaches, which primarily focus on the value of a company’s tangible assets, the income approach considers the earning potential of the business.…

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    The Economic Balance Sheet

    and its Application to Enterprise Valuation The value of a firm must equal the value of the claims on its assets. In practice, this is generally expressed as the value FIRM = value DEBT + value EQUITY. Similarly, in a balance sheet prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), assets = liabilities and equity. By comparison, an economic balance sheet is constructed using market values rather than amounts reported in accordance with GAAP, items included are classified as operating, non-operating, debt or equity-related rather than current or long-term, asset or liability, and it includes economic assets and liabilities…

  • QuickPress - Valuation/Appraisal

    Country-specific Cost of Capital is ‘By Far’ Damodaran’s Most Popular Download —BVWire News

    Particularly When Valuing Companies with Substantial Foreign Operations, Business Valuation Analysts Know That Country-Specific Input Is Critical  David Foster at BVWire News reports that in additional to his general data update for 2013, Prof. Aswath Damodaran (NYU Stern School of Business) provides a list of country default spreads and risk premiums.  Here’s the professor’s assessment:

  • QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Iterating the Weighted Average Cost of Capital

    When Valuators Use a Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) to Determine a Discount Rate, the Rate Needs to Be “Iterated.” Here’s Why. When an expert determines a discount rate for a controlling interest in a valuation using the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC), that discount rate needs to be iterated. Since market values of debt and equity in a closely held company are not publicly traded and known, as Richard Claywell explains, the iteration process is necessary.  It’s the only way to demonstrate the validity of using an industry average capital structure.  Without iteration your discount rate—and proposed…

  • QuickRead Archive - QuickRead Featured - Valuation/Appraisal

    Capitalized Earnings: When are the Earnings Stabilized?

    Capitalized Earnings: When are the Earnings Stabilized? When you’re doing a business valuation, should you use a Capitalization of Earnings/Cash Flows? Or should you use a Discounted Earnings/Cash Flow method? Here’s a rule of thumb: If the benefit stream will be constant over time, choose the Capitalized Earnings/Cash Flows. Richard Claywell explains.