Negative EV

Hey guys,

Quick question here - I know that it is possible for companies to have a negative enterprise value, for example when market capitalization is extremely and cash balance is quite significant. For example, banks often have negative enterprise values as a result of their large cash balance.

However, what does that imply in terms of valuation and multiples? Clearly a negative EV/EBITDA multiple would be a bit nonsensical, right? Also, if a bank has a negative EV and gets acquired, will its purchase enterprise value be negative? If so, how does that make sense? I know that banks and financial institutions are valued differently from normal companies, but what if normal manufacturing company had a negative EV. What would that imply in terms of valuation multiples and purchase EV?

Maybe I'm overthinking here, but any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks!

1 Comments
 

Distinctio eum aut beatae reiciendis eius consequuntur. Atque quas odit sapiente doloribus quis tenetur laborum. Unde eos neque in dicta.

Accusamus expedita libero impedit aliquid occaecati quis. Fugit a et laboriosam deleniti voluptas facere minima. Asperiores exercitationem ut fuga corrupti cum corrupti eum aut. Ratione dolores eos eaque ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (66) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”