Business Valuation Methods
Understanding the key approaches professionals use to determine business value
Understanding Business Valuation Approaches
Professional valuations typically consider three approaches and then select specific methods within each, based on the company's facts and the purpose of the valuation:
Income Approach (e.g., Capitalization of Cash Flow, Discounted Cash Flow)
Values the business by converting expected economic benefit into present value. Analysts often use Free Cash Flow (FCF) as the earnings base, since it reflects reinvestment needs, working capital changes, and true distributable cash.
Market Approach (e.g., Guideline Transaction / Direct Market Data, Guideline Public Company)
Derives value from observed multiples of comparable companies or transactions. Earnings bases may include EBITDA, Seller's Discretionary Earnings (SDE), or Revenue, depending on company size and market data.
Asset Approach (e.g., Adjusted Net Asset Method; Liquidation analyses when appropriate)
Values the business based on the fair value of its assets and liabilities.
Most valuations develop multiple indications of value and reconcile them to a well-supported conclusion. The selection of approaches and methods depends on company size, industry, profitability, growth/risk profile, quality of financial data, and the intended use of the valuation.
We perform our work in accordance with NACVA Professional Standards, considering the relevant approaches in every engagement and documenting our reasoning for method selection and reconciliation.
Common Valuation Methods
Income Approach
Converts normalized Free Cash Flow (FCF) into value using a capitalization rate. Best suited when a business has stable earnings and growth expectations.
Learn MoreProjects multiple years of Free Cash Flow and discounts them back to present value. Useful when growth, margins, or reinvestment needs are changing, or when detailed forecasts are available.
Learn MoreMarket Approach
Uses observed private-company transactions to derive multiples of normalized earnings.
• EBITDA multiples are often applied to mid-market and larger companies.
• SDE (Seller's Discretionary Earnings) multiples are common for smaller, owner-operated businesses.
Applied selectively when earnings are not yet meaningful (e.g., early-stage or high-growth companies). Requires strong support for margins, scalability, and retention.
Learn MoreAsset Approach
Restates assets and liabilities to fair value. Often considered for asset-intensive or non-operating businesses, or when earnings don't fully capture asset value.
Learn MoreApplied when the appropriate premise of value is liquidation (orderly or forced). Typically considered in distressed or non-continuing operations.
Learn MoreIndustry Benchmarks / "Rules of Thumb" (reference only)
Industry benchmarks can provide a reasonableness check against other methods. They are not a valuation method on their own and are never used as the sole basis for a conclusion of value.
Learn MoreHow Analysts Commonly Apply Methods
The mix of methods depends on the company's size, industry, financial profile, and the purpose of the valuation. Below are common patterns, not hard rules:
Established businesses with consistent earnings
Often considered: Capitalization of Cash Flow, Market Approach using EBITDA multiples, Asset Approach for reasonableness.
Smaller, owner-operated businesses
Often considered: Market Approach using SDE multiples; Capitalization of Cash Flow if earnings are stable; rules of thumb only as a secondary reference.
High-growth or technology companies
Often considered: DCF using Free Cash Flow, Market Approach with revenue or usage-based multiples, and public-company comparables when relevant.
Asset-heavy companies
Often considered: Adjusted Net Asset Method alongside Income or Market indications.
Note: Actual method selection and reconciliation are documented in each engagement, consistent with NACVA Professional Standards.
*Calculator results are for educational purposes only and do not represent a professional valuation conclusion.
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