Excess Cash, Total Cash, and Enterprise Value - Interview question

Hey Everybody, I apologize if this is in the wrong forum, but doing interview prep and ran across this question for calculating EV that I don't get. Super lost, and sorry if this is a stupid question...I got a lot to learn. I am given the share count ($10), # of shares (200M), net debt (300m), total cash (80M), accumulated depreciation (125M), and excess cash (30M). I am confused about the relationship between excess cash and total cash and how that should be calculated to get EV. Does total cash include excess cash? Currently I have: EV = 200*10 (mkt cap) + 300M (debt) -?? I believe I ignore depreciation, but not sure if I should subtract total cash (80M), or total cash - excess cash (50M).

Any help would be appreciated.

3 Comments
 

Will give this a spin. assuming that you made an error and share count = share price

  • Share price - $10
  • # of shares - 200m
  • Net Debt - 300m
  • Total Cash - 80m
  • Accum Depre - 125m
  • Excess cash - 30m means cash tied up in biz is 50m (80m - 30m)

EV = Market Value of Equity + MV of Debt - Cash

Do note that trapped cash and cash tied up in working capital are not to be considered here.

EV = 200m (# of shares) * 10 (Market Price) + 300m (debt) - Cash (30m)

EV = 2270m

Please feel free to point out any mistakes.

 
Most Helpful

Ipsum voluptas amet qui eum ullam quia dolorem. Vel quis aut ea magni et et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $61
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
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”