Enterprise Value (EV)

Definition

The total value of a business including both equity and debt, minus cash. Calculated as market capitalisation plus total debt minus cash and equivalents. EV provides a more complete picture of a company's worth than market cap alone and is used as the numerator in EV-based valuation multiples.

Complementary Terms

Concepts that frequently appear alongside Enterprise Value (EV) in practice.

Book Value

The net asset value of a company as recorded on its balance sheet, calculated as total assets minus total liabilities. Book value often significantly understates the true worth of intangible-rich businesses because many intangible assets are not recognised under accounting standards.

Total Value to Paid-In (TVPI)

A private equity and venture capital performance metric combining both realised returns (distributions) and unrealised value (remaining portfolio value) relative to total capital contributed. TVPI equals DPI plus RVPI and provides the most complete picture of a fund's overall performance.

Equity Value

The value attributable to the shareholders of a business after deducting all debt and debt-like obligations from enterprise value. Equity value represents what the owners would receive if the business were sold and all liabilities settled.

Net Asset Value (NAV)

The total value of a company's or fund's assets minus its liabilities. For investment funds, NAV represents the per-share or per-unit value.

Terminal Value

The estimated value of a business or asset beyond the explicit forecast period in a discounted cash flow analysis, representing the bulk of total enterprise value for long-lived assets. Terminal value is calculated using either a perpetuity growth model or an exit multiple approach and is particularly significant for intangible-intensive companies with long-duration competitive advantages.

Gross Value Added (GVA)

The measure of the value of goods and services produced, calculated as revenue minus the cost of purchased inputs (services, energy, and materials). GVA captures the value a company creates through its own activities and is a core productivity metric in the Opagio framework.

Franchise Value

The intangible premium that a business commands above the fair value of its net tangible assets, reflecting factors such as brand strength, regulatory licences, customer loyalty, and market position. Franchise value is a critical concept in financial services and regulated industries where the right to operate carries significant economic worth.

Fair Market Value

The price at which an asset would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller, neither being under compulsion to transact, and both having reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts. Fair market value is the standard used in most asset valuation contexts.

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