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The Choice of Valuation Techniques in Practice: Education versus Profession

Author

Listed:
  • Lilia Mukhlynina

    (University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance)

  • Kjell G. Nyborg

    (University of Zurich - Department of Banking and Finance; Centre for Economic Policy Research (CEPR); Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne - Swiss Finance Institute)

Abstract

We use a survey approach to learn about valuation professionals’ choices and implementations of valuation techniques in practice. The survey design allows us to control for a respondent’s professional subgroup (e.g., consulting), education, experience, and valuation purpose characteristics. We find support for the “sociological hypothesis” that profession matters more than education; different professions have different valuation cultures. Other factors are less important. There are also many commonalities across respondents. Most use both multiples and DCF, but implement DCF in a way that almost turns it into a multiples exercise. Confusion reigns with respect to interest tax shields and the WACC. Higher educational levels do not reduce the confusion. Our overall findings matter because valuation professionals function as intermediaries in the capital allocation process. The relative unimportance of education raises questions about the role and benefit of higher level finance education.

Suggested Citation

  • Lilia Mukhlynina & Kjell G. Nyborg, 2016. "The Choice of Valuation Techniques in Practice: Education versus Profession," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 16-36, Swiss Finance Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:chf:rpseri:rp1636
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cooper, Ian A. & Nyborg, Kjell G., 2006. "The value of tax shields IS equal to the present value of tax shields," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 81(1), pages 215-225, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Cronqvist, Henrik & Ladika, Tomislav & Pazaj, Elisa & Sautner, Zacharias, 2024. "Limited attention to detail in financial markets: Evidence from reduced-form and structural estimation," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    2. Olivier, Jacques & Dessaint, Olivier & Otto, Clemens A. & Thesmar, David, 2017. "CAPM-Based Company (Mis)valuations," HEC Research Papers Series 1235, HEC Paris, revised 20 Mar 2018.
    3. John R. Graham, 2022. "Presidential Address: Corporate Finance and Reality," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 77(4), pages 1975-2049, August.
    4. Obrimah, Oghenovo A., 2022. "Refining the general equilibrium relation that subsists between stock returns, and each of investors’ risk preferences and information sets," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 46(PB).
    5. Andreas Schüler & Sebastian Wünsche, 2023. "Inflation and Valuation Practice: German Evidence," Schmalenbach Journal of Business Research, Springer, vol. 75(2), pages 239-266, June.
    6. Balakrishnan, Karthik & Shivakumar, Lakshmanan & Taori, Peeyush, 2021. "Analysts’ estimates of the cost of equity capital," Journal of Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(2).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Valuation; Valuation Cultures; Sociological Hypothesis; Multiples; DCF; Finance Education;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G02 - Financial Economics - - General - - - Behavioral Finance: Underlying Principles
    • A11 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Role of Economics; Role of Economists
    • A14 - General Economics and Teaching - - General Economics - - - Sociology of Economics
    • A20 - General Economics and Teaching - - Economic Education and Teaching of Economics - - - General

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