WALLSTREET PREP VALUATION QUESTIONS &
VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE 2025
1. Could you explain the concept of present value and how it relates to
company valuations?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The present value concept is based on the premise that "a dollar in the
present is worth more than a dollar in the future" due to the time value of money. The reason being money
currently in possession has the potential to earn interest by being invested today.
For intrinsic valuation methods, the value of a company will be equal to the sum of thepresent value of all th
future cash flows it generates. Therefore, a company with a high valuation would imply it receives high returns
on its invested capital by investing in positive net present value ("NPV") projects consistently while having low
risk associated with its cash flows.
2. What is equity value and how is it calculated?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Often used interchangeably with the term
market capitalization ("market cap"), equity value represents a company's value to its equity shareholders. A
company's equity value is calculated by multiplying its latest closing share price by its total diluted shares
outstanding, as shown below
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >>
Equity Value = Latest Closing Share Price × Total Diluted Shares Outstanding
3. How do you calculate the fully diluted number of shares outstanding?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The treasury stock method ("TSM") is used to calculate the fully
diluted number of shares outstanding based on the options, warrants, and other dilutive securities that are
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
, currently "in-the-money" (i.e., profitable to exercise).
The TSM involves summing up the number of in-the-money ("ITM") options and warrants and then adding
that figure to the number of basic shares outstanding.
In the proceeding step, the TSM assumes the proceeds from exercising those dilutive options will go towards
repurchasing stock at the current share price to reduce the net dilutive impact.
4. What is enterprise value and how do you calculate it?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Conceptually, enterprise value
("EV") represents the value of the operations of a company to all stakeholders including common
shareholders, preferred shareholders, and debt lenders.
Thus, enterprise value is considered capital structure neutral, unlike equity value, which is attected by financi
decisions.
Enterprise value is calculated by taking the company's equity value and adding net debt, preferred stock, and
minority interest.
Enterprise Value = Equity Value + Net Debt + Preferred Stock + Minority Interest
5. How do you calculate equity value from enterprise value?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> To get to equity value from enterprise value, you would first
subtract net debt, where net debt equals the company's gross debt and debt-like
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
, claims (e.g., preferred stock), net of cash, and non-operating assets.
Equity Value = Enterprise Value - Net Debt - Preferred Stock - Minority Interest
6. Which line items are included in the calculation of net debt?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The calculation of net debt accounts for all interest-
bearing debt, such as short-term and long- term loans and bonds, as well as non-equity financial claims
such as preferred stock and non- controlling interests. From this gross debt amount, cash and other non-
operating assets such as short-term investments and equity investments are subtracted to arrive at net
debt.
Net Debt = Total Debt - Cash & Equivalents
7. When calculating enterprise value, why do we add net debt?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The underlying idea of net debt is that the cash on a
company's balance sheet could pay down the outstanding debt if needed. For this reason, cash and cash
equivalents are netted against the company's debt, and many leverage ratios use net debt rather than the
gross amount.
8. What is the difference between enterprise value and equity value?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Enterprise value
represents all stakeholders in a business, including equity shareholders, debt lenders, and preferred stock
owners. Therefore, it's independent of the capital structure. In addition, enterprise value is closer to the actual
value of the business since it accounts for all ownership stakes (as opposed to just equity owners).
To tie this to a recent example, many investors were astonished that Zoom, a video conferencing platform, had a
higher market capitalization than seven of the largest airlines combined at one point. The points being
neglected were
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >>
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
, 1. The equity values of the airline companies were temporarily deflated given the travel restrictions, and the
government bailout had not yet been announced.
2. The airlines are significantly more mature and have far more debt on their balance sheet (i.e., more
non- equity stakeholders).
9. Could a company have a negative net debt balance and have an
enterprise
value lower than its equity value?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Yes, negative net debt just means that a company has more
cash than debt. For example, both Apple and Microsoft have massive negative net debt balances because they
hoard cash. In these cases, companies will have enterprise values lower than their equity value.
If it seems counter-intuitive that enterprise value can be lower than equity value, remember that enterprise
value represents the value of a company's operations, which excludes any non-operating assets. When you
think about it
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
VERIFIED ANSWERS LATEST
UPDATE 2025
1. Could you explain the concept of present value and how it relates to
company valuations?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The present value concept is based on the premise that "a dollar in the
present is worth more than a dollar in the future" due to the time value of money. The reason being money
currently in possession has the potential to earn interest by being invested today.
For intrinsic valuation methods, the value of a company will be equal to the sum of thepresent value of all th
future cash flows it generates. Therefore, a company with a high valuation would imply it receives high returns
on its invested capital by investing in positive net present value ("NPV") projects consistently while having low
risk associated with its cash flows.
2. What is equity value and how is it calculated?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Often used interchangeably with the term
market capitalization ("market cap"), equity value represents a company's value to its equity shareholders. A
company's equity value is calculated by multiplying its latest closing share price by its total diluted shares
outstanding, as shown below
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >>
Equity Value = Latest Closing Share Price × Total Diluted Shares Outstanding
3. How do you calculate the fully diluted number of shares outstanding?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The treasury stock method ("TSM") is used to calculate the fully
diluted number of shares outstanding based on the options, warrants, and other dilutive securities that are
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
, currently "in-the-money" (i.e., profitable to exercise).
The TSM involves summing up the number of in-the-money ("ITM") options and warrants and then adding
that figure to the number of basic shares outstanding.
In the proceeding step, the TSM assumes the proceeds from exercising those dilutive options will go towards
repurchasing stock at the current share price to reduce the net dilutive impact.
4. What is enterprise value and how do you calculate it?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Conceptually, enterprise value
("EV") represents the value of the operations of a company to all stakeholders including common
shareholders, preferred shareholders, and debt lenders.
Thus, enterprise value is considered capital structure neutral, unlike equity value, which is attected by financi
decisions.
Enterprise value is calculated by taking the company's equity value and adding net debt, preferred stock, and
minority interest.
Enterprise Value = Equity Value + Net Debt + Preferred Stock + Minority Interest
5. How do you calculate equity value from enterprise value?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> To get to equity value from enterprise value, you would first
subtract net debt, where net debt equals the company's gross debt and debt-like
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
, claims (e.g., preferred stock), net of cash, and non-operating assets.
Equity Value = Enterprise Value - Net Debt - Preferred Stock - Minority Interest
6. Which line items are included in the calculation of net debt?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The calculation of net debt accounts for all interest-
bearing debt, such as short-term and long- term loans and bonds, as well as non-equity financial claims
such as preferred stock and non- controlling interests. From this gross debt amount, cash and other non-
operating assets such as short-term investments and equity investments are subtracted to arrive at net
debt.
Net Debt = Total Debt - Cash & Equivalents
7. When calculating enterprise value, why do we add net debt?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> The underlying idea of net debt is that the cash on a
company's balance sheet could pay down the outstanding debt if needed. For this reason, cash and cash
equivalents are netted against the company's debt, and many leverage ratios use net debt rather than the
gross amount.
8. What is the difference between enterprise value and equity value?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Enterprise value
represents all stakeholders in a business, including equity shareholders, debt lenders, and preferred stock
owners. Therefore, it's independent of the capital structure. In addition, enterprise value is closer to the actual
value of the business since it accounts for all ownership stakes (as opposed to just equity owners).
To tie this to a recent example, many investors were astonished that Zoom, a video conferencing platform, had a
higher market capitalization than seven of the largest airlines combined at one point. The points being
neglected were
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >>
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
, 1. The equity values of the airline companies were temporarily deflated given the travel restrictions, and the
government bailout had not yet been announced.
2. The airlines are significantly more mature and have far more debt on their balance sheet (i.e., more
non- equity stakeholders).
9. Could a company have a negative net debt balance and have an
enterprise
value lower than its equity value?
VERIFIED EXPLANATION >> Yes, negative net debt just means that a company has more
cash than debt. For example, both Apple and Microsoft have massive negative net debt balances because they
hoard cash. In these cases, companies will have enterprise values lower than their equity value.
If it seems counter-intuitive that enterprise value can be lower than equity value, remember that enterprise
value represents the value of a company's operations, which excludes any non-operating assets. When you
think about it
https://www.stuvia.com/user/MBOFFIN
