Why is equity value levered

sorry for all the finance questions, but i havent been able to find good, concise answers to them outside of here. Anyone know why equity value is levered? I know enterprise is unlevered because it is capital structure independent, but what about equity value?

 

Equity value is levered because, as an equity holder, you are at the bottom of the totem pole in terms of cap structure (under debt holders). So as a company adds more debt, the equit holder assumes more risk, hence becomes more levered.

 
gimmeshelter43:
Great explantion Mezz - thanks. One final question : why do multiples have to be levered-levered or unlevered to unlevered, but they cant be levered-unlevered?

If I'm reading this correctly, you're asking why you wouldn't use, say, P/EBITDA (as opposed to comparing two companies using levered vs. unlevered multiples).

A multiple whose numerator is levered and denominator is unlevered is mismatched; ie, as someone above said, you're not comparing apples to apples. Both numerator and denominator need to be either independent of OR dependent on cap structure in order for the multiple to be meaningful. Hope that helps.

 

If you are comparing 2 companies, by using the same multiples, you are putting them on the same playing field. In this case, by using unlevered for one, and levered for the other, you might be handicapping/penalizing one company because of the amount of debt they have.

Basically, you want to compare apples to apples so your metrics need to be consistent.

 
Best Response
Mezz:
If you are comparing 2 companies, by using the same multiples, you are putting them on the same playing field. In this case, by using unlevered for one, and levered for the other, you might be handicapping/penalizing one company because of the amount of debt they have.

Basically, you want to compare apples to apples so your metrics need to be consistent.

Thanks. Would you please also explain why P/E is always lower than EV/EBITDA? I didn't see an case when EV multiples are higher than P/E when running the compsheet. I understand equity multiples are generally " levered" but any underlying reason why P/E are higher than EV/EBITDA? Or what kindda value/meaning that these two groups of ratios represent?

 

Debitis architecto vel unde voluptate alias sunt. Dolor nihil est adipisci accusantium recusandae impedit. Velit recusandae asperiores sit veniam quae et tempora iure. Ullam repellendus laudantium reprehenderit autem est. Quia sint in rerum occaecati aut tempora. Ipsam maxime assumenda odio cupiditate vitae hic.

Aut molestiae optio non id. Quaerat sunt dicta similique sed. Consequatur deserunt eos ut ut id eveniet excepturi. Consequatur nulla fugit fugit pariatur quam. Sit aliquid officiis aut et quia labore nihil et. Omnis inventore eius dolor officia incidunt dicta.

Nihil dolore quibusdam nulla totam nobis voluptas. Dicta similique et a ipsa similique. Ex eius quas doloremque aut. Facilis qui commodi odio sit. Quis molestiae quo et ut. Quia dolor repellendus et nisi rerum non.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (86) $261
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (145) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
kanon's picture
kanon
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
bolo up's picture
bolo up
98.8
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”