Net Assets method of Valuation of Share

This is also known as Balance Sheet Method or Intrinsic Method or Break-up Value Method or Valuation of Equity basis or Asset Backing Method. Here the emphasis is on the safety of investment as the investors always need safety for their investments. Under this method, net assets of the company are divided by the number of shares to arrive at the net asset value of each share.

Key Points:

(1) The value of goodwill will be ascertained.

(2) Fixed assets of the company, disclosed or undisclosed in Balance Sheet, are taken at their realisable values.

(3) Floating assets are to be taken at market value.

(4) Remember to exclude fictitious assets, such as Preliminary Expenses, Accumulated Losses etc.

(5) Provision for depreciation, bad debts provision etc. must be considered.

(6) Find out the external liabilities of the company payable to outsiders including contingent liabilities.

Thus the value of net asset is:

Total of realisable value of assets – Total of external liabilities = Net Assets (Intrinsic value of asset)

Total Value of Equity shares = Net Assets – Preference share capital

Value of one Equity share = Net Assets – Preference share capital/Number of Equity shares

Asset-Backing Method:

Since the valuation is made on the basis of the assets of the company, it is known as Asset-Basis or Asset- Backing Method. At the same time, the shares are valued on the basis of real internal value of the assets of the company and that is why the method is also termed Intrinsic Value Method or Real Value Basis Method.

This method may be made either:

(i) On a going/continuing concern basis; and

(ii) Break-up value basis.

In the case of former, the utility of the assets is to be considered for the purpose of arriving at the value of the assets, but, in the case of the latter, the realizable value of the assets is to be taken. Under this method, value of the net assets of the company is to be determined first.

Thereafter, the net assets are to be divided by the number of shares in order to rind out the value of each share. At the same time, value of goodwill (at its market value), investment (non-trading assets) are to be added to net assets. Similarly, if there are any preference shares, those are also to be deducted with their arrear dividends from the net assets.

However, this following step should carefully be followed while calculating Net Assets or the Funds Available for Equity Shareholders:

(a) Ascertain the total market value of fixed assets and current assets;

(b) Compute the value of goodwill (as per the required method);

(c) Ascertain the total market value of non-trading assets (like investment) which are to be added;

(d) All fictitious assets (viz, Preliminary Expenses, Discount on issue of Shares/Debentures, Debit-Balance of P&L A/c etc.) must be excluded;

(e) Deduct the total amount of Current Liabilities, Amount of Debentures with arrear interest,” if any, Preference Share Capital with arrear dividend, if any.

(f) The balance left is called the Net Assets or Funds Available for Equity Shareholders.