A Behavioral Approach To Derive The Cost Of Equity Capital For Small Closely Held Firms

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to explore the theoretical structure that underlies the valuation process for small closely held firms.  All discounted cash flow valuation models require an estimate of a firm’s weighted average cost of capital as well as the firm’s component cost of equity capital. The CAPM is frequently employed to measure the cost of equity capital for a publicly traded firm.  A publicly held firm’s common stock price is determined in the capital markets and is readily available.  The firm’s stock price can then be used to estimate its beta; a necessary input to the CAPM.  Because there is no information about stock prices, the task of estimating the cost of equity for a closely held firm is more challenging.  The build-up model is frequently used to calculate the cost of equity for the closely held firm. However there is much controversy over this model’s assumptions, reliability and validity.  Specifically, this research critiques the build-up model identifying its advantages and its liabilities. The purpose of this work is to create discussion and stimulate economists to study and improve this important area.  Additionally, this study offers a new economic model to estimate the cost of equity capital that is theoretically correct easy to understand