Implied EBITDA Multiple With DCF

This is a two-part question related to DCF's, Valuation and Debt.

Background: I did an EBITDA Multiple valuation scenario analysis, less debt for the equity value. Then did a DCF to cross-check. The two are nowhere in the ballpark...then I dook out net debt out of the valuation and it aligned very nicely.

My question is... 1. When doing a DCF and connecting to the implied EBITDA Multiple of a privately owned company, looking for the equity value, I know you are supposed to take out the debt, or is it the net debt (debt-cash)? Which one is it? 2. If the EBITDA x Multiple and the DCF are way off, what would be the best way to think through the mistakes in the model?

Thank you in advance for the help.

Regards,

Michael

3 Comments
 
  1. Net debt. Enterprise Value = Equity Value + Debt & Equivalents - Cash & Equivalents

  2. A difference between multiples-valuation and DCF-valuation does not necessarily mean there is an error. This simply means the market is valuing a company greater/lesser than the intrinsic value of its future cash flows. Of course, your assumptions would be the drivers for DCF-valuation differing from multiples-valuation, irrespective of whether or not they are "correct".

 

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