Terminal Value TV Definition, Factors, Calculation, Example

The perpetuity growth model assumes that the growth rate of free cash flows in the final year of the initial forecast period will continue indefinitely into the future. In discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, neither the perpetuity growth model nor the exit multiple approach is likely to render a perfectly accurate estimate of terminal value. Which method is best for calculating terminal value depends partly on whether an investor wishes to obtain an optimistic or conservative estimate.

Without including this second calculation, an analyst would be making the unreasonable projection that the company would simply cease operating at the end of the initial forecast period. If the growth rate in perpetuity is not constant, a multiple-stage terminal value is calculated. The terminal growth rate can be negative, if the company in question is assumed to disappear in the future. The exit multiple used was 8.0x, which comes out to an implied terminal growth rate of 2.3% – a reasonable constant growth rate that confirms that our terminal value assumptions pass the “sanity check”. In the subsequent step, we can now figure out the implied perpetual growth rate under the exit multiple approach. The perpetual growth method of calculating a terminal value formula is the preferred method among academics as it has a mathematical theory behind it.

It’s vital to validate Terminal Value against factors like industry norms, company performance history, and broader economic conditions, ensuring that the calculated value is reasonable and justifiable within a reasonable range. While the primary valuation is based on these multiples, incorporating Terminal Value is essential for a comprehensive valuation, considering the perpetuity of a company’s operations. For example, John is a financial analyst and is asked to determine the TV of a project expected to grow perpetually by 2% annually. A dynamic industry with evolving opportunities might yield a higher Terminal Value, whereas an industry facing disruption or stagnation could limit growth assumptions and subsequently, Terminal Value.

Choose Appropriate Growth and Discount Rates

The forecast period is typically 3-5 years for a normal business (but can be much longer in some types of businesses, such as oil and gas or mining) because this is a reasonable amount of time to make detailed assumptions. Anything beyond that becomes a real guessing game, which is where the terminal value comes in. Factors influencing TV include economic conditions, industry trends, and company-specific attributes, all shaping the reliability of growth assumptions. Conversely, company-specific risks, such as legal issues or poor strategic decisions, could impact the ability to achieve projected growth, thereby affecting Terminal Value estimates. Industry trends, technological advancements, and shifts in consumer preferences can shape a company’s growth prospects beyond the forecasted period.

How Is Terminal Value Estimated?

Since it is not feasible to project a company’s FCF indefinitely, the standard structure used most often in practice is the two-stage DCF model. Calculating TV involves methods like the Perpetual Growth Model and the “Exit Approach,” aiming to capture elusive values beyond the forecasted horizon. The estimation of Terminal Value heavily depends on prevailing economic conditions, such as inflation rates, interest rates, and overall macroeconomic stability. Instead of attempting to wade into the unknown, analysts use financial models like Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) along with some baseline assumptions to ascertain Terminal Value.

1. This provides a future value at the end of Year N. The terminal value is then discounted using a factor equal to the number of years in the projection period.
2. In PTA, where historical acquisition data is used for valuation, Terminal Value helps to bridge the valuation gap beyond the historical transaction period.
3. Thus, it’s crucial to align Terminal Value assumptions with a realistic long-term vision for the company, ensuring that the projections are sustainable and coherent.
4. This is a critical component of valuation, as it represents the inherent value of a company, assuming that it continues to grow at a certain rate without any significant changes or risks.
5. Anything beyond that becomes a real guessing game, which is where the terminal value comes in.

Assume the book value of the firm’s assets is expected to be $1 billion at the time of liquidation. Further, assume that inflation is expected to be 2% and the average age of the firm’s assets will be eight years. Now that we’ve finished projecting the stage 1 FCFs, we can move on to calculating the terminal value under the growth in perpetuity approach.

Exit Multiple Terminal Value Calculation

All such information is provided solely for convenience purposes only and all users thereof should be guided accordingly. Unrealistically high or low Terminal Value estimates can significantly impact overall valuation outcomes. It enables the estimation of a company’s value in the context of potential future transactions, enhancing the accuracy of the valuation.

More Valuation Resources

DCF analysis aims to determine a company’s net present value (NPV) by estimating the company’s future free cash flows. The projection of free cash flows is done first for a given forecast period, such as five or 10 years. This part of DCF analysis is more likely to render a reasonably accurate estimate, since it is obviously easier to project a company’s growth rate and revenues for the next five years than it is for the next 15 or 20 years. The Exit or Terminal Multiple Approach assumes a business will be sold at the end of the projection period. Valuation analytics are determined for various operating statistics using comparable acquisitions.

The difference between the two values in the denominator determines the terminal value, and even with appropriate values for both, the denominator may result in a multiplying effect that does not estimate an accurate terminal value. Also, the perpetuity growth rate assumes that free cash flow will continue to grow at a constant rate into perpetuity. Consider that a perpetuity growth rate exceeding the annualized growth of the S&P 500 and/or the U.S. GDP implies that the company’s cash flow will outpace and eventually absorb these rather large values. Perhaps the greatest disadvantage to the Perpetuity Growth Model is that it lacks the market-driven analytics employed in the Exit Multiple Approach.

Moving onto the other calculation method, we’ll now walk through the exit multiple approach. For purposes of simplicity, the mid-year convention is not used, so the cash flows are being discounted as if they are being received at the end of each period. The exit multiple assumption is derived from market data on the current public trading multiples of comparable companies and multiples obtained from precedent transactions what is terminal value of comparable targets. The long-term growth rate should theoretically be the growth rate that the company can sustain into perpetuity. Often, GDP growth or the risk-free rate can serve as proxies for the growth rate. Projected cash flows must be discounted to their present value (PV) because a dollar received today is worth more than dollar received on a later date (i.e. the fundamental “time value of money” concept).

What is the Exit Multiple DCF Terminal Value Formula?

Terminal Value also hinges on the trajectory of the specific industry in which the company operates. It addresses the challenge of valuing a company’s long-term potential when traditional projections might become unreliable. Discounting is necessary because the time value of money creates a discrepancy between the current and future values of a given sum of money.

Perpetuity growth rate is usually equivalent to the inflation rate and almost always less than the economy’s growth rate. If the growth rate changes, a multiple-stage terminal value can then be determined instead. A terminal growth rate is usually in line with the long-term inflation rate but not higher than the historical gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate.