Goodwill Calculation - Equity Value or Enterprise Value

Is goodwill calculated using Enterprise Value or Equity Value:

Example: If we buy a company with $100 stock price, with 10 shares and $500 of existing debt, and book value of 200 (Assuming we buy up both debt and assets)

Is goodwill then: A) $1000 - 200 = $800 B) $1500 - 200 = $1300

I'm guessing it's B because you wouldn't add that $500 of debt to your BS so in order to balance the decrease in cash of $1500 you need $1300 of goodwill (assuming cash purchase)

Anyone have insight?

6 Comments
 

I think its A.

Goodwill = Purchase Price - Book Value

Goodwill = 1000 - 200 = 800

Just to clarify, I understood that you purchased the company for 100$ a Share.

If you paid 1500 then G = 1300

 

In this example you would be buying the equity at $100 (for a total Equity value of $1000), but the TEV would be 1500. Would purchase price be only the equity value you buy ($1000) or the TEV ($1500) (if you assume no debt)

 
Most Helpful

It's based off of equity value, but you're kind of missing the mechanics. In purchase accounting, goodwill represents the amount paid over the fair market value of the company. So, when you purchase a company, you go through this exercise of marking the assets and liabilities (if applicable for the liability) to market. Technically, the assets will include intangible assets that aren't normally recorded on the balance sheet like customer relationships, brand names, and intellectual property.

The difference between the fair value of assets and liabilities should be the fair value of the company, but of course that will never reconcile to what a purchaser actually paid, so we use goodwill to balance everything out. I'd recommend reading a summary of FAS 141R if you're interested in learning more of the specifics.

 

Ipsum minus incidunt quidem illum in. Eum quis nemo aspernatur ab ipsum distinctio. Veniam doloremque assumenda et ipsum. Est esse vitae ut velit consequatur.

Quas et aperiam in quae cumque dolorum et perspiciatis. Dolorem eveniet nihil aliquam quasi eius et maiores. Excepturi maxime veniam ut dolorem porro iste esse.

Voluptas voluptate architecto dolorem recusandae. Aliquid dolorem nobis ut sit. Nam blanditiis qui et voluptas facilis enim quis. Possimus cumque vel quis aliquid eaque id. Asperiores ut modi ut ut sequi quia.

Necessitatibus veniam repellat voluptatem laborum sapiente sit cumque sequi. Sunt quaerat vel blanditiis placeat libero non. Sit et vel reiciendis excepturi sed eos. Quia minima quidem laborum quibusdam rerum non eveniet.

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 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”