Capitalization - Market Cap vs. Total Equity

I've always learned that total capitalization was calculated as Debt + Market Cap (Equity). I just saw a model today which used Total Equity (the entire Shareholders' Equity section of the Balance Sheet) instead of market cap. I would really appreciate it if someone could help me out on this issue.

3 Comments
 

I'm a bit more curious about the context. I know that in the majority of cases, we use market value. When would the book value be more appropriate?

 

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