How Capital Structure Affects Business Valuation

A company's capital structure essentially, its blend of equity and debt financing is a significant factor in valuing the business. The relative levels of equity and debt affect risk and cash flow and, therefore, the amount an investor would be willing to pay for the company or for an interest in it. A question that often arises is whether the valuator should use the company's actual capital structure or its anticipated future capital structure. A valuator might also use a prospective buyer's capital structure or the company's optimal capital structure. Which method is best depends on several factors, including the type of interest being valued and the valuation's purpose.

Capital structure matters because it influences the cost of capital. Generally, when valuators use income-based valuation methods such as discounted cash flow they convert projected cash flows or other economic benefits to present value by applying a present value discount rate. That rate, which generally reflects the return that a hypothetical investor would require, is derived from the cost of capital, which is commonly based on the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). WACC is a company's average cost of equity and debt, weighted according to the relative proportion of each in the company's capital structure.

Many business owners strive to be debt-free, but a reasonable amount of debt can provide some financial benefits. Debt is often cheaper than equity, and interest payments are tax-deductible. So, as the level of debt increases, returns to equity owners also increase enhancing the company's value. If risk weren't a factor, then the more debt a business has, the greater its value would be. But at a certain level of debt, the risks associated with higher leverage begin to outweigh the financial advantages. When debt reaches this point, investors may demand higher returns as compensation for taking on greater risk, which has a negative impact on business value.

So, the optimal capital structure comprises a sufficient level of debt to maximize investor returns without incurring excessive risk. Identifying the optimal structure is a combination of art and science. Valuators may:     

Whichever method is used, valuators exercise professional judgment to arrive at a capital structure that makes sense for the subject company, with a level of debt that the company's cash flow can support.

The right capital structure for valuation purposes depends on several factors, including:

If the interest being valued is a controlling interest, its often appropriate to use the company's optimal capital structure. Why? Because a controlling owner generally has the ability to change the company's capital structure and gravitates toward a structure that will yield the most profitable results. If the interest being valued is a minority or noncontrolling interest, however, it is customary to use the company's actual capital structure, because the interest owner lacks that ability.

To estimate fair market value, valuators often use the subject company's actual or optimal capital structure. But if the standard of value is investment value, it may be appropriate to use the buyer's capital structure because the buyer's financial attributes are considered in using this standard of value.

A company's capital structure fluctuates over time as the value of its equity securities changes and the company services its debts. It may be appropriate to use management's target capital structure if the actual structure has veered off course temporarily or if management plans to alter the company's capital structure.

The blend of debt and equity can have a big impact on a value estimate. So you should expect to work closely with your valuation expert to identify the appropriate capital structure to be used in the valuation.