Failed acquisitions do not always result in goodwill impairments. Management optimism is part of the problem, but so is application of the impairment test in a way that maximises the shielding effect of other assets. This reduces the value of goodwill impairments for investors. Analysing the success or failure of M&A is important to assess management stewardship. We applaud the IASB’s proposal for more disclosure, but also believe the goodwill impairment test needs a critical review. Some u...| The Footnotes Analyst
Financial reporting, equity analysis and equity valuation insights for investors| The Footnotes Analyst
Swiss pharma company Novartis provides investors with its own calculation of an EV/EBITDA multiple. However, in our view, the EV is inconsistent with EBITDA. We review the company’s calculation and suggest amendments to ensure it better captures the value of Novartis’ core business. To derive useful valuation multiples, you must be consistent. Our main adjustment to the Novartis calculation relates to the value of their stake in fellow Swiss pharma company Roche.| The Footnotes Analyst
Target valuation multiples that are implied by key value drivers are a great way to better understand equity valuation and how the characteristics of a company affect value. The approach incorporates the same links with underlying value drivers on which DCF is based, but in a simplified way that is more intuitive than a full DCF model. Our target multiple model can be used to estimate a deserved valuation multiple for a company, sector or index, to reverse engineer returns or growth implied b...| The Footnotes Analyst
Discounted cash flow and similar valuation methods are often cited as the only way to derive an intrinsic value of an equity investment that does not depend on how other assets are priced by the market. In contrast, valuation multiples, such as a price earnings ratio or EV/EBITDA, merely identify value relative to other assets. However, this view is not only simplistic - both DCF and valuation multiples can be used in a so-called absolute and relative sense – but it can also be incorrect....| The Footnotes Analyst
Few people seem to be satisfied with intangible asset accounting; depending on your perspective, there is either not enough or far too much of it. What is clear is that many valuable intangible assets go unrecognised in financial statements. The result is distorted financial ratios, including price to book. The lack of intangible asset recognition means that most investors know to use book value with caution. This may not be the case for index providers, ‘smart beta’ funds and quant-based...| The Footnotes Analyst
Companies are continuously reshuffling their business portfolio by either spinning off assets (GlaxoSmithKline, Vivendi) or increasing their share in existing businesses (BMW, Siemens Energy). However, the M&A accounting applied to these transactions can produce some unusual and potentially confusing effects. In 2022, German luxury car manufacturer BMW increased its stake in its Chinese joint venture BMW Brilliance from 50% to 75%. Surprisingly, this produced a gain in profit and loss (even t...| The Footnotes Analyst
The underlying rationale and conceptual basis for the equity method of accounting for investments in associates is unclear. Equity accounting can be regarded as either the cost-based measurement of an investment or as a quasi (one-line) form of consolidation – but neither is particularly helpful for investors. We explain the limitations of the equity method and advocate measuring all investments in associates at fair value, consistent with other minority equity holdings. This results in a m...| The Footnotes Analyst