Enterprise Value: Subtracting Investments in Associates

Basically asking for clarification: Why do you subtract investments in associates when calculating EV?

My understanding is that you do so such that when you calculate EV/revenue or EV/EBITDA mutliples, the numerator and denominator would be comparable (0% contribution from associates).

But recently I've been told that investments in associates are subtracted because these investments are considered non-operating and non-core. Another reason I received was because these assets tend to be liquid and hence can be considered somewhat like cash equivalents. I don't agree with the latter opinion but let me know your thoughts?

5 Comments
 

So you're saying the main reason we take out associates in our calculation of EV is to facilitate the calculation of the EV/EBITDA or EV/revenue etc. multiple?

I've had an interviewer told me what if i wanted to calculated EV by itself and ignore the purposes of calculating multiples, in that case how should I justify the subtraction of investments in associates?

 

Eos perspiciatis enim ullam dignissimos et voluptatem perferendis delectus. Nobis quasi sit itaque rerum consequatur. Unde dolorum eum neque. Distinctio amet nobis nostrum ipsa quisquam eius libero.

Aut et ea quis. Ea maiores sint suscipit aut itaque qui voluptatem. Sunt dolores inventore quam porro voluptas non aut velit. Quidem facilis id delectus deserunt et velit impedit quo. Magnam et repellendus voluptatem molestias maiores.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”