Using weighted average strike for treasury stock method? (Public comps)

Question for you re public comps:

I am trying to obtain fully diluted shares outstanding in a straightforward manner utilizing CapIQ. Purpose: for public comps, specifcally market cap and total enterprise value (TEV).

When using the treasury stock method (TSM) for getting options in the $, is it ok to use the weighted average strike price from CIQ? Will this get me to the same result as if I were to try to obtain every options tranche?

Would really appreciate your help, all. Thanks much!

5 Comments
 

in general the whole point of spreading your own public comps is so that you arn't relying on capIQ. def best practices to look directly in the filings. (look on bar on the left to find link to SEC filings)

not sure if in every case you will get the same result or not. the most rigorous way to do it is to look at the footnote in the 10-K with the options information and break it out tranche by tranche. Not every firm will reveal all their tranches so they will only have one.

Here's the whole process to get diluted shares outstanding:

1) get most recent share count from front cover of most recent 10-Q or 10-K (or occasionally proxy) 2) get options info from most recent 10K 3) find dilutive effect of options by an IF() statement. If weighted av. strike is less than share price, assume the options will be exercised. if not, then they arnt. Repeat for each tranche 4) multiply options exercised by share price to find proceeds from option exercises 5) divide proceeds by current share price to find share repurchases 6) subtract (4) - (5) to get net dilutive effect of options 7) add (6) + (1) and u have diluted shares outstanding

 
deal_mkrin general the whole point of spreading your own public comps is so that you arn't relying on capIQ. def best practices to look directly in the filings. (look on bar on the left to find link to SEC filings)

not sure if in every case you will get the same result or not. the most rigorous way to do it is to look at the footnote in the 10-k with the options information and break it out tranche by tranche. Not every firm will reveal all their tranches so they will only have one.

Here's the whole process to get diluted shares outstanding:

1) get most recent share count from front cover of most recent 10-q or 10-K (or occasionally proxy) 2) get options info from most recent 10k 3) find dilutive effect of options by an IF() statement. If weighted av. strike is less than share price, assume the options will be exercised. if not, then they arnt. Repeat for each tranche 4) multiply options exercised by share price to find proceeds from option exercises 5) divide proceeds by current share price to find share repurchases 6) subtract (4) - (5) to get net dilutive effect of options 7) add (6) + (1) and u have diluted shares outstanding

I think for #4 you mean to say "multiply options exercised by strike price" not share price, to friend proceeds.
 

What about options that are non-vested in-the-money? The definition states that from TSM purpose you need to use all the options that could be exercised and converted into common shares, so from the logical perspective options that are non-vested and in-the-money should be excluded? Any thoughts?

 
thecrazybaboonWhat about options that are non-vested in-the-money? The definition states that from TSM purpose you need to use all the options that could be exercised and converted into common shares, so from the logical perspective options that are non-vested and in-the-money should be excluded? Any thoughts?

There are arguments both ways, for using either options exercisable or total outstanding. Generally speaking, I've normally used options exercisable, but there are certain cases where you use options oustanding (and ITM), for example, a change in control of the company will often trigger a clause that causes shares to immediately vest.

In reality, it usually won't change the valuation of most companies that much, so just make sure you ask whoever's senior to you and that you're consistent with all your comps.

 
Best Response

Vero voluptatem quas delectus exercitationem exercitationem inventore. Voluptas dignissimos eum dolorem nam.

Qui suscipit eveniet earum aut esse. Quo voluptate ea suscipit doloremque ut tempore unde non. Sed et et natus voluptas quia necessitatibus id.

Ea illo dignissimos placeat libero molestiae odit. Labore quos ea officiis molestiae minus doloremque.

Occaecati accusantium neque aut voluptatem atque. Natus omnis dolores est ut deleniti labore. Enim et quidem aut quia tenetur aperiam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
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...”