Publications

November 2009
Background Note

Business Valuation and the Cost of Capital

By: Timothy A. Luehrman

This note is an introduction to the cost of capital as used in discounted cash flow valuation analyses. The note covers basic financial economic principles and practical problems encountered in calculating the cost of capital, especially WACC. It concludes with... View Details

Keywords: Economics; Capital Budgeting; Cash Flow; Cost of Capital; Valuation

July 2001
Technical Note

Technical Note on LBO Valuation (A): LBO Structure and the Target IRR Method of Valuation

By: Carliss Y. Baldwin

Explains the equity cash flow method of valuation as it applies to leveraged buyouts. Also explains: 1) earnings and cash flow forecasts, 2) debt structure and the cash sweep, 3) the cashing out horizon and terminal valuation, and 4) the target IRR method of valuation. View Details

Keywords: Valuation; Leveraged Buyouts; Capital Budgeting; Borrowing and Debt; Cash Flow; Equity; Profit; Price; Forecasting and Prediction

February 2006 (Revised October 2006)
Background Note

Introduction to Valuation Multiples

By: Robin Greenwood and Lucy White

Outlines the definition and applicability of financial multiples and their relationship to discounted cash flow analysis. View Details

Keywords: Cash Flow; Valuation

June 2018
Background Note

Valuation Techniques in Private Equity: LBO Model

By: Victoria Ivashina, Alexey Tuzikov and Abhijit Tagade

This note introduces an "LBO model," the main performance assessment and valuation technique used in the private equity industry. View Details

Keywords: LBO Model; Valuation; Private Equity; Performance Evaluation

2000
Book

Business Analysis and Valuation

By: Paul M. Healy, Krishna G. Palepu and Victor L. Bernard

Keywords: Valuation; Theory

Find at Harvard

December 2023
Case

The Valuation Multiple Detective

By: Jonas Heese, Paul M. Healy and Pietro Bonetti

August 2000
Teaching Note

Fixed Income Valuation (TN)

By: W. Carl Kester

Teaching Note for (9-298-080). View Details

Keywords: Consumer Products Industry

November 2012
Technical Note

OpCo / PropCo Valuation

By: Nicolas P. Retsinas, Lisa Strope and John C. Hettinger

This technical note describes the "OpCo/PropCo" process of valuing a real estate intensive business. The term "OpCo/PropCo" refers to a business arrangement in which a consolidated, real estate-intensive enterprise is split into two separate businesses: (1) A property... View Details

Keywords: Real Estate; Property; Valuation; Investment

January 2003 (Revised February 2011)
Tool

Business Analysis and Valuation Model (Version 5)

By: Paul M. Healy, Krishna G. Palepu and Jonathan Barnett

Once you enter company financial statements, this software enables you to standardize them to a common format, make any needed adjustments to the company's accounting, and make assumptions about the company's future performance. The model then provides financial ratios... View Details

Keywords: Financial Statements; Standards; Mathematical Methods; Valuation

April 2005 (Revised February 2006)
Background Note

Note on Option Valuation

For every option, a fair price has to be established. But how do you actually price an option? Assuming a basic knowledge of options, this note covers two pricing methods: the binominal tree and the Black-Scholes/Merton formula. View Details

Keywords: Valuation; Stock Options

24 Nov 2010
Working Paper Summaries

Valuation When Cash Flow Forecasts Are Biased

Keywords: by Richard S. Ruback

April 2010
Case

Groupe Ariel S.A.: Parity Conditions and Cross-Border Valuation

By: Timothy A. Luehrman and James Quinn

Groupe Ariel evaluates a proposal from its Mexican subsidiary to purchase and install cost-saving equipment at a manufacturing facility in Monterrey. The improvements will allow the plant to automate recycling and remanufacturing of toner and printer cartridges, an... View Details

Keywords: Exchange Rates; Securities Analysis; Project Evaluation; International Finance; Debt Securities; Currency Exchange Rate; Cash Flow; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Capital Budgeting; Europe; Mexico

January 2020
Technical Note

Valuation in Entrepreneurial Settings

By: Paul Gompers

1998
Working Paper

Valuation of Bankrupt Firms

By: Stuart C. Gilson, Edith Hotchkiss and Richard Ruback

February 2024 (Revised February 2024)
Case

CLSA: Integrating ESG in Stock Valuation

By: Shirley Lu, Aaron Yoon and Billy Chan

In 2023, a senior financial analyst at the Hong Kong-based stock brokerage firm CLSA was surprised to see that, based on his calculations, the financial impact from climate risks on a major Indian cement manufacturing company’s projected earnings could be massive.... View Details

Keywords: Accounting; Corporate Governance; Analysis; Stocks; Valuation; Environmental Sustainability; Financial Services Industry; Industrial Products Industry; Hong Kong; China; India; Asia

April 2001 (Revised April 2002)
Background Note

Note on Pre-Money and Post-Money Valuation (A &B), A

Provides a brief introduction to calculations inherent in pre-money and post-money evaluations at multiple stages of financing. Relies on three different examples to illustrate how valuations can be calculated depending on the information provided. View Details

Keywords: Information; Valuation; Financing and Loans

March 2002 (Revised April 2002)
Background Note

A Note on Pre-Money and Post-Money Valuation (B)

A brief introduction to the calculations inherent in pre-money and post-money valuations at multiple stages of financing. Relies on one example to illustrate that valuations can be calculated in a variety of ways, depending on the information provided. A rewritten... View Details

Keywords: Valuation; Financing and Loans