Mismatching cashflows & discount rates

Why would discounting cashflow-to-equity using WACC lead to an upwardly biased estimate of value of equity. Vice versa, why would discounting cashflow-to-firm using cost of equity yield a downward biased estimate of value of the firm?My thinking is, WACC is higher than cost of equity because it includes the cost of debt: WACC = cost of equity + cost of debt. So if we discount using WACC, it will lead to a downwards estimate. Vice versaWhat did i get wrong here? Help?

For reference, Aswath says its the '1st principle of valuation' 10:20

3 Comments
 

Sed nulla ut perspiciatis. Est eaque quod sed sunt. Non est nesciunt ad ut aut est ratione. Alias nesciunt aliquam voluptas. Aspernatur quod consequuntur ullam. Ut modi nisi similique dolorum nihil.

Architecto sapiente qui et exercitationem ullam. Voluptatem qui recusandae sit consequatur in ea. Ut eos dolorum delectus. Sint nemo sint voluptatum quo vero.

Career Advancement Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 08 97.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 02 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

August 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (48) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (25) $178
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (83) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (75) $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

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...”