Startup Valuation and Investment Decisions

The assignment explores various techniques used to value a startup, ultimately advocating for the discounted cash flow (DCF) method due to its consideration of time value in present value calculations. It delves into the importance of accurately assessing cash flows and emphasizes the DCF method's ability to provide a more accurate valuation compared to other methods.

Financial Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Question 2 : Mergers and Acquisitions............................................................................................1
a) Valuation of Trojan plc by using Price/earning ratio :............................................................1
b) Valuation of Trojan plc by using Dividend valuation method :.............................................2
c) Valuation of Trojan plc by using Discounted cash flow method :..........................................3
d) Problems related to the various techniques that have been used above :................................4
Question 3 .......................................................................................................................................6
1. (a) The payback period :.........................................................................................................6
b) the accounting rate of return...................................................................................................7
C & d ) The net present value and Internal rate of return...........................................................7
2. Evaluation of the benefits and limitations of each investment appraisal technique................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Financial management is the process in which various processes such as planning,
directing, organizing and controlling are performed in order to manage the financial activities of
a business. Financial activities include the procurement and utilization of the finance for the
company (Agard, 2007). This is done so that the funds can be utilised in the most effective and
efficient manner which will be beneficial in achieving the objectives of the company and all
these functions are performed by the top management of the company. In this various decisions
are required to be taken which include financial, investment and dividend decisions. In this
report the investment aspect will be discussed in relation to acquisition of fixed asset and another
entity. For this purpose there are various techniques that can be used and all those methods
together with their advantages and disadvantages are described here under.
Question 2: Mergers and Acquisitions
a) Valuation of Trojan plc by using Price/earnings ratio
Price earnings ratio which is also known as price to earnings ratio is the ratio that
considers the market prospects and by this the market value of the stock is calculated and this is
done by comparing the market price of the share with its relative earning. In this it can be said
that this ratio will represent the value of the stock that market is ready to pay on the basis of the
earning that are made in the current situation (Allen, 2012). This method is used while making an
investment to evaluate the fair market value that should be present on the basis of future earnings
per share that have been predicted. If the earnings that are made by any company are high than
that company will be willing to pay its investors a dividend at higher rate. With the help of this
ratio it will be possible for the investors to identify that what is the amount that is required to
paid by them on the basis of the earnings that are currently made by it and it is the reason due to
which this ratio is called as earnings multiple or price multiple. The manner in which this ratio
will be calculated is by dividing the market price per share with the earnings per share. The
formula for this is:
Price earnings ratio: Market price per share
Earnings per share
This can be better understood with the given problem.
Price earnings ratio = 2.05 / 0.275
= 7.4545
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Value of Trojan Plc = Price earnings ratio * earnings made during year
= 7.4545 * 40.4
= £ 301.1618 m
Working Notes:
1. Calculation of Earnings per share :
Earnings per share = Total earnings / Number of shares
= 40.4 / 147
= £ 0.275
2. Calculation of market price per share :
Market price per share = £ 2.05
b) Valuation of Trojan plc by using Dividend valuation method
Dividend valuation is one of another method that is used by the investors for the
valuation of stock. In this method all the future dividends are used in order to predict the share
value. In this it is assumed that the sole purpose for which the investment is made is to receive
the dividends (Allio and Randall, 2010). There are lot of more other assumptions that are made
in this method while calculating the value. For the purpose of using this method it will be
required that firstly the approximate future dividends will be ascertained and after that the
discount rate for the future period will be determined which will be used to calculate the present
value. If there is any growth that is found than that will also be used in the calculation process.
The formula that will be used to calculate the value by using this model will be:
P0 = D1 / (Ke – G)
Where,
P0 = current value of share
D1 = dividend at the year end
Ke = cost of equity
G = Growth rate
Below is given the calculation of value by using this method:
P0 = 13.26 / (11.6 % - 2 % )
= 13.26 / 9.6 %
= £ 138.125 m
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Working Notes:
1. Calculation of D1:
D1 = current dividend + growth rate
= 13 + 2%
= 13 + 0.26
= 13.26 p
2. Calculation of Ke :
Ke = Rf + Beta (Rm – Rf)
where,
Rf = risk free rate of return
Rm = market rate of return
Ke = 5 + 1.1 (11 – 5)
Ke = 5 + 1.1 * 6
Ke = 5 + 6.6
Ke = 11.6 %
c) Valuation of Trojan plc by using discounted cash flow method
Discounted cash flow method is the method in which value of any project or investment
can be carried out by using the time value of money as a concept. In this method all the cash
flows that will be arising in the future are estimated and then on the basis of the cost of capital
the present value of all the cash flows will be calculated (Araujo, Finch and Kjellberg, 2010).
The aggregate value of all the present values will be taken to be the value of the stock. In this
method it will be necessary to ascertain that whether the cash flows will be arising on continuous
basis and if it is, than the growth rate will also be required to be taken into consideration. The
formula that will be used in this will be:
Discounted present value = future value / (Ko – g)
= 4.437 / (9.63 % - 2 %)
= 4.437 / 7.63 %
= 58.15
Value of Trojan = discounted present value + value of asset sold
= 58.15 + 21
= £ 79.15 m
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Working notes:
1. Calculation of Ko :
Ko = (equity * cost of equity) + (debt * cost of debt)/capital employed
Cost of debt = interest rate (1 – tax rate)
= 7 (1 - .20)
= 5.6 %
Ko = (147 * 11.6) + (72 * 5.6)/219
= 1705.2 + 403.2 /219 *100
= 2108.4 / 219
= 9.63 %
2. Calculation of future value :
Future value = Synergy benefits + growth
= 4.35 + 2 %
= 4.35 + 0.087
= 4.437
d) Problems related to the various techniques that have been used above
There are various valuation methods that can be used in order to calculate the value of the
company but there are certain problems that will be faced in those methods (Bamford and
Forrester, 2015). It is necessary for the Aztec to have an understanding about all those problems
so that the method that will be best will have to be used in order to calculate the value of trojan
plc. Below are given the limitations associated with each method:
 Price earnings ratio: This is the simplest tool that can be used for the purpose of
valuation of stock. But a part from it there are certain problems that are associated with
this method which are described below :
 Short term market prices can be erratic: The prices in the short term are affected by
the rumours and expectations and as a result of it price earnings ratio that will be
calculated will not be considered to be appropriate. To deal with this problem it will be
required that the information that will be used in the calculation of the ratios is related to
period of time and not for any single year.
 Frequent management of reported earnings: It is known that if the reported earnings
will be consistent tan the ratio will be arrived at higher level and if the earnings will be
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uncertain than it will not be possible (Bolton, 2013). Due to this reason it is required that
the earnings should be maintained on consistent basis and this can be done by using such
accounting decisions that will help them in meeting the expectations of the investors.
 High growth rates: High growth will also be problem as with this more number of the
competitors will be attracted that will be harmful for the industry as by it the margin will
be reduced (Eom, 2012). The high rate will not be maintained for long period of time as
when the earnings will decline, the price of the stock will also fall along with it.
 Impact of debt is not considered: Major disadvantage of using this problem is that in
this only the equity component is considered while a company is formed by using both
the equity and debt so it is important that both aspects should be covered which is not
followed in this method.
 Dividend valuation method: There are various problems that are associated with this
method and that are firstly in this method it is assumed that the investment are made with
the intention to earn dividend but this not the reality as all the investors have different
reasons and all do not make the investment with this intention only (Craighead and
Meredith, 2008). It is difficult to forecast the dividend as there is no certainty in this
context and this is because the dividends that are paid by the company are not fixed and
company can pay any amount. This method will not be possible to be used in those cases
where there is no dividend that is being paid in the current position and nor there are any
future expectations in this regard.
 Discounted cash flow method: In this method all the cash flows that will be arising in
the future are brought at the present value by using the appropriate discount rate (Chary,
2009). But the major problem that is faced in this are that the discount rate that is used is
based on the market and that keeps on changing so there is no certainty and as in this it is
considered that the growth will be consistent in the future period but it is not possible in
real terms as growth keeps on changing.
According to the description that is mentioned above it can be ascertained that there are some
or the other problem in each method but then also in comparison to others the discounted cash
method is most appropriate. So, it will be good if Azetec uses this method for the valuation
purpose.
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Question 3
1. (A) The payback period:
This is the technique in which it is calculated that what will be the time that will be
required in order to recover the investment that has been made (Evans, 2011). This the
investment appraisal technique which is considered to be the simplest method. It is calculated in
the manner specified below:
Initial Outflows = 275000
Year Net Inflows Cumulative inflows
1 72500 72500
2 72500 145000
3 72500 217500
4 72500 290000
5 72500 362500
6 113750 476250
Payback period = 3 + 57500 / 72500
= 3 + 0.79
= 3.79 years
Working note:
Calculation of net inflows:
Net inflows = inflows – outflows
= 85000 – 12500
= 72,500
The machinery can be purchased by love well limited as the payback period is 3.79 which
is less than the useful life of the asset so it will be beneficial for the company as after these years
it will be earning profits.
b) The accounting rate of return.
The accounting rate of return is the ratio that is calculated on the basis of forecasted
accounting profit which is earned in reference to the average investment that has been made by
the company in any project. This can be calculated in the manner specified below:
ARR = Average Accounting profits / Average investment
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Annual depreciation = value of asset – salvage value / life of asset
= 275000 – 41250 / 6
= 38958.33
Annual profit = 72500 – 38958.33
= 33541.67
Average profit = (33541.67 * 5) + (33541.67 + 41250) / 6
= 167708.35 + 74791.67 / 6
= 242500.02 / 6
= 40416.67
ARR = 40416.67 /275000 * 100
= 14.70 %
The machinery can be purchased by the company as the average rate of return is higher
than the cost of capital so it will be beneficial for the company to invest in the asset.
C & d) the net present value and Internal rate of return.
In this method the net present value will be calculated on the basis of the present value of the
inflows and outflows. In this firstly the present value of inflows will be calculated on the basis of
the discount rate and then the outflow will be deducted from it to reach at NPV. If the NPV is
positive than the proposal will be accepted and if not than it will be rejected.
Internal rate of return is the rate which is calculated to identify that what will be the point at
which the present values of the inflows and outflows will be equal this means that the rate at
which the net present values of any project is zero that will be the internal rate of return. It is
considered that if the IRR is less than the cost of capital than the project will not be accepted.
year cash inflows PV
0 -275000 1 -275000
1 72500 0.89 64732.1428571429
2 72500 0.7971938776 57796.556122449
3 72500 0.7117802478 51604.0679664723
4 72500 0.6355180784 46075.0606843503
5 72500 0.5674268557 41138.4470395984
6 113750 0.5066311212 57629.2900339202
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TOTAL PV 318975.564703933
NPV 43975.564703933
IRR 4.62%
In this case as the NPV of the project is positive so the proposal will be accepted and the
machinery will be beneficial for the company so it will be purchased.
2. Evaluation of the benefits and limitations of each investment appraisal technique.
Payback period method: There are various advantages and disadvantages that are present
in this method which are that this method is very simple and easy to be used and it is also
understandable and will be computed in a simple manner as there are no complications that are
involved in its calculation. In case of the decision making in relation to the investment proposal
this method will be giving more importance to the liquidity (Burns, 2014). The main concept
behind this method is to deal with the risk as if the payback period will be less than it will have
the less risk that will be associated with that project and if more than that proposal will be more
risky.
The main disadvantages in this method is that the time value of money is not considered
while the calculation is made. The payback period method does not give importance to the
profitability as its whole importance is on liquidity. In this the cash flows that are arising before
the period are taken but after the period flows are totally ignored which is not at all beneficial.
Average Rate of Return: The main advantage is that it is very simple and easy to
calculate so can be used by anyone. The profitability aspect is considered in it which is very
important for any business.
There are various disadvantages that are related to it. The main problem associated with it
is of consistency as this can be calculated in many ways so there will be difference in it if it is
calculated by alternative means. In this method accounting income is used in place of the cash
flows so certain aspects in relation to cash are not considered (Brunsman, DeVore and Houston,
2011). Also when there is high maintenance cost than it will not be suitable to be used. In this if
two projects are compared than correct results will not be ascertained as in this time value is
ignored so projects having same outflows but whose inflows are not consistent than there will be
difference in ranking.
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Net present value method: Major advantage is that in this time value of money is
considered. In this method both the profitability and risk aspect of the proposal are given a high
priority. With the help of NPV the value of the company will be maximised.
The major disadvantage of this is that it is a complicated process and very difficult to calculate.
The calculation of the appropriate discount rate is not easy. When the projects have unequal life
than NPV will not be able to provide the correct results.
Internal rate of return: Main advantage that is associated with this method is that in this
the time value of money is considered and given importance which will be helpful in analysing
the big projects. This method is very simple to use which is also a merit of this (Bowhill, 2008).
In addition to advantages there are various disadvantages also which are in this the economies in
relation to scale are ignored. The actual value is not considered in it and mainly it is calculated
on the basis of assumptions. In some cases when there are mutually exclusive projects than this
method will not be helpful as in that percentage interpretation is done which is not considered as
appropriate.
CONCLUSION
From the above mentioned report it can be concluded that in case of financial
management there are various techniques that are present which can be used for the purpose of
deciding that which proposal is beneficial for the company and which is not. In that there are
various aspects that are considered which will be very helpful. Also there are many methods by
which the valuation of stock can be done and the investment decision can be made. The method
that will give the most appropriate result is the discounted cash flow method as in this the present
value of all the cash flows is considered which means that time value is given importance.
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REFERENCES
Journals and Books
Agard, C., 2007. Getting the Real Out of Starting a Business. Adelphi Publishing & Media.
Pp.156.
Allen, K., 2012. New Venture Creation. South Western Cengage Learning.
Allio, J. R and Randall, M. R., 2010. Kiechel's history of corporate strategy. Strategy &
Leadership. 38(3). pp.29 – 34.
Araujo, L., Finch, A and Kjellberg, H., 2010. Reconnecting Marketing to Markets. OUP Oxford.
Bamford, R. D and Forrester, L. P., 2015. Managing planned and emergent change within an
operations management environment. International Journal of Operations &
Production Management. 23(5). pp.546 – 564.
Bolton, B., 2013. Entrepreneurs: talent, temperament and opportunity. Routledge.
Bowhill, B., 2008. Business Planning and Control: Integrating Accounting, Strategy, and
People. John Wiley and Sons.
Brunsman, B., DeVore, S and Houston, A., 2011. The corporate strategy function: improving its
value and effectiveness. Journal of Business Strategy. 32(5). pp.43 – 50.
Burns, P., 2014. New Venture Creation. Palgrave / Macmillan.
Chary, S. N., 2009. Production and Operations Management. 4th Ed. New Delhi: Tata Mc Graw
Hill.
Craighead, W. C and Meredith, J., 2008. Operations management research: evolution and
alternative future paths. International Journal of Operations & Production
Management. 28(8). pp.710-726.
Eom, B. S., 2012. Effects of LMS, self-efficacy, and self-regulated learning on LMS
effectiveness in business education. Journal of International Education in
Business. 5(2). pp. 129 – 144.
Evans, V., 2011. FT Essential Guide to Writing a Business Plan: How to Win Backing to Start
Up or Grow Your Business. FT/ Prentice Hall.
Online
Business Model Generation. 2017. [Online]. Available through<http://business model
generation.com/toolbox> [Accessed on 13th June 2017].
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Financial Management, 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<http://www.netsuite.co.uk/portal/uk/products/erp/financial-management.shtml>. [Accessed on
13th June 2017].
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