UBS Valuation Multiples Primer

Valuation & Accounting

Global

November 2001

Valuation Multiples: A Primer

Global
Equity
Research

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Valuation Primer Series
Peter Suozzo
[phone]

■

[e-mail]

Stephen Cooper
[phone]

■

[e-mail]

Issue 1

This is the first in a series of primers on fundamental valuation topics such as discounted cash flow, valuation multiples and cost of capital.
This document explains how to calculate and use multiples commonly used in equity analysis.

Gillian Sutherland
[phone] [e-mail] Zhen Deng
[phone] [e-mail] ■

We discuss the differences between equity and enterprise multiples, show how target or ‘fair’ multiples can be derived from underlying value drivers and discuss the ways multiples can be used in valuation. For each multiple, we show its derivation, discuss its strengths and weaknesses, and suggest appropriate use.

Valuation Multiples: A Primer November 2001

Contents
Peter Suozzo
[phone] [e-mail] Stephen Cooper
[phone] [e-mail] Gillian Sutherland
[phone]

page

An Introduction to Multiples ........................................................................... 3
— What Is a Multiple? ......................................................................... 3
— Advantages/Disadvantages of Multiples ........................................... 3
— Enterprise versus Equity Multiples ................................................... 5
— Why Multiples Vary......................................................................... 5

[e-mail]

Zhen Deng
[phone] [e-mail] — Choosing the Pricing