Research Paper (undergraduate) from the year 2007 in the subject Business economics - Investment and Finance, grade: 1,0, University of Applied Sciences Berlin, course: Financial Management, language: English, abstract: In everything you do, or don't do, there is a chance that something will happen that you didn't count on. Risk is the potential for unexpected things to happen. Risk aversion is a common thing among almost all investors. Investors generally dislike uncertainty or risk and agree that a safe dollar is worth more than a risky one. Therefore, investors will have to be persuaded to take higher risk by the offer of higher returns. In this investment context, the additional compensation for taking on higher risk is a higher rate of return.Every investment has a risk element: The investor will always not be certainwhether the investment will be able to generate the required income. The degree of risk defers from industry to industry but also from company to company. It is not possible to eliminate the investment risk altogether but to reduce is. Nevertheless, often there remains a risky part. According to the degree of risk, the investor demands a corresponding rate of return that is, of course, higher than the rate of return of risk-free investments. Taking on a risk should be paid off. The Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) is an economic model for valuing stocks, securities, derivatives and/or assets by relating risk and expected rate of return. CAPM is based on the idea that investors demand additional expected return if they are asked to accept additional risk.

A complete explanation of the issues that determine private firm value Principles of Private Firm Valuation combines recent academic research and practical real-world experience to help readers better understand the multitude of factors that determine private firm value. For the financial professional serving private firms-who are increasingly being called upon to give advice on issues related to firm valuation and deal structure-this comprehensive guide discusses critical topics, including how firms create value and how to measure it, valuing control, determining the size of the marketability discount, creating transparency and the implications for value, the value of tax pass-through entities versus a C corporation, determining transaction value, and the valuation implications of FASB 141 (purchase price accounting) and 142 (goodwill impairment). Dr. Stanley J. Feldman (Lowell, MA) is Associate Professor of Finance at Bentley College, where he currently teaches courses in corporate finance with a focus on business valuation and business strategy at both the graduate and undergraduate levels. He is a member of the FASB Valuation Resource Group and is Chairman and cofounder of Axiom Valuation Solutions.

"Thirty years ago, Portfolio Theory and Capital Markets laid the groundwork for today's investment standards, from modern portfolio theory to derivatives, pricing and investment, equity index funds, and more. By providing invaluable insights into the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) and introducing such innovations as the Sharpe Ratio, Dr. William Sharpe established himself as one of the most influential financial minds of the twentieth century. Now, in Portfolio Theory and Capital Markets, The Original Edition, complete with a new foreword written by Dr. Sharpe, McGraw-Hill reintroduces this essential book - and places its lessons in a meaningful context for modern investors throughout the world."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Valuation lies at the heart of much of what we do in finance, whether it is the study of market efficiency and questions about corporate governance or the comparison of different investment decision rules in capital budgeting. In this paper, we consider the theory and evidence on valuation approaches. We begin by surveying the literature on discounted cash flow valuation models, ranging from the first mentions of the dividend discount model to value stocks to the use of excess return models in more recent years. In the second part of the paper, we examine relative valuation models and, in particular, the use of multiples and comparables in valuation and evaluate whether relative valuation models yield more or less precise estimates of value than discounted cash flow models. In the final part of the paper, we set the stage for further research in valuation by noting the estimation challenges we face as companies globalize and become exposed to risk in multiple countries.

For decades, the market, asset, and income approaches to business valuation have taken center stage in the assessment of the firm. This book brings to light an expanded valuation toolkit, consisting of nine well-defined valuation principles hailing from the fields of economics, finance, accounting, taxation, and management. It ultimately argues that the "value functional" approach to business valuation avoids most of the shortcomings of its competitors, and more correctly matches the actual motivations and information set held by stakeholders. Much of what we know about corporate finance and mathematical finance derives from a narrow subset of firms: publicly traded corporations. The value functional approach can be readily applied to both large firms and companies that do not issue publicly traded stocks and bonds, cannot borrow without constraints, and often rely upon entrepreneurs to both finance and manage their operations. With historical side notes from an international set of sources and real-world exemplars that run throughout the text, this book is a future-facing resource for scholars in economics and finance, as well as the academically minded valuation practitioner.

"Aswath Damodaran is simply the best valuation teacher around. If you are interested in the theory or practice of valuation, you should have Damodaran on Valuation on your bookshelf. You can bet that I do." -- Michael J. Mauboussin, Chief Investment Strategist, Legg Mason Capital Management and author of More Than You Know: Finding Financial Wisdom in Unconventional Places In order to be a successful CEO, corporate strategist, or analyst, understanding the valuation process is a necessity. The second edition of Damodaran on Valuation stands out as the most reliable book for answering many of today?s critical valuation questions. Completely revised and updated, this edition is the ideal book on valuation for CEOs and corporate strategists. You'll gain an understanding of the vitality of today?s valuation models and develop the acumen needed for the most complex and subtle valuation scenarios you will face.

The number one guide to corporate valuation is back and better than ever Thoroughly revised and expanded to reflect business conditions in today's volatile global economy, Valuation, Fifth Edition continues the tradition of its bestselling predecessors by providing up-to-date insights and practical advice on how to create, manage, and measure the value of an organization. Along with all new case studies that illustrate how valuation techniques and principles are applied in real-world situations, this comprehensive guide has been updated to reflect new developments in corporate finance, changes in accounting rules, and an enhanced global perspective. Valuation, Fifth Edition is filled with expert guidance that managers at all levels, investors, and students can use to enhance their understanding of this important discipline. Contains strategies for multi-business valuation and valuation for corporate restructuring, mergers, and acquisitions Addresses how you can interpret the results of a valuation in light of a company's competitive situation Also available: a book plus CD-ROM package (978-0-470-42469-8) as well as a stand-alone CD-ROM (978-0-470-42457-7) containing an interactive valuation DCF model Valuation, Fifth Edition stands alone in this field with its reputation of quality and consistency. If you want to hone your valuation skills today and improve them for years to come, look no further than this book.