To Iterate Or Not To Iterate? Using The WACC In Equity Valuation

Abstract

The “textbook” discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation method involves estimating a target debt ratio for the firm, discounting firm cash flows at the WACC to estimate firm value, then subtracting the current value of debt to get equity value. This method gives the correct equity value in situations in which the firm will move toward the target debt ratio after the transaction is complete, such as takeovers and capital budgeting projects. The textbook method does not work well for estimating equity value in passive investments in which leverage is unlikely to change as a result of the potential transaction. Estimating equity value in passive investments when leverage is unlikely to change requires a simple iterative procedure to correct for circularity, which is demonstrated here. This situation sows confusion among students and practitioners. Finance scholars and textbook authors are aware of the situation but the author has never seen it clearly explained in prior textbooks or articles.