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Selecting Comparables for the Valuation of European Firms

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  • Ingolf Dittmann
  • Christian Weiner

Abstract

This paper investigates which comparables selection method generates the most precise forecasts when valuing European companies with the enterprise value to EBIT multiple. We also consider the USA as a reference point. It turns out that selecting comparable companies with similar return on assets clearly outperforms selections according to industry membership or total assets. Moreover, we investigate whether comparables should be selected from the same country, from the same region, or from all OECD members. For most European countries, choosing comparables from the 15 European Union member states yields the best forecasts. In contrast, for the UK and the US, comparables should be chosen from the same country only.

Suggested Citation

  • Ingolf Dittmann & Christian Weiner, 2005. "Selecting Comparables for the Valuation of European Firms," SFB 649 Discussion Papers SFB649DP2005-002, Sonderforschungsbereich 649, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
    • Handle: RePEc:hum:wpaper:sfb649dp2005-002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Nigohos Kanaryan, 2019. "Enhancing The Adjustments Of Market Multiples For Better Operating Efficiency," Economic Archive, D. A. Tsenov Academy of Economics, Svishtov, Bulgaria, issue 4 Year 20, pages 3-20.
    2. Dragos Ioan Mînjina, 2009. "Relative Performance of Valuation Using Multiples. Empirical Evidence on Bucharest Stock Exchange," The Review of Finance and Banking, Academia de Studii Economice din Bucuresti, Romania / Facultatea de Finante, Asigurari, Banci si Burse de Valori / Catedra de Finante, vol. 1(1), pages 035-053, December.
    3. Barbara Fidanza, 2008. "The Valuation by Multiples of Italian Firms," Working Papers 14-2008, Macerata University, Department of Studies on Economic Development (DiSSE), revised Nov 2008.
    4. Salmanov, Oleg & Babina, Natalia & Bashirova, Svetlana & Samoshkina, Marina, 2015. "Multiples for Valuation Estimates of Companies in the Technology Sector of Emerging Markets," MPRA Paper 112271, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 20 Mar 2015.
    5. Juhász Jácint & Kovács Imola & Kovács Ildikó, 2010. "Comparable Valuation Method - A New Approach. Case Study: A Romanian Flexographic Printing Firm," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 571-577, December.
    6. Sigbert Klinke & Uwe Ziegenhagen & Yuval Guri, 2005. "Yxilon – a Modular Open-Source Statistical Programming Language," SFB 649 Discussion Papers SFB649DP2005-018, Sonderforschungsbereich 649, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
    7. Emanuel Bagna & Enrico Cotta Ramusino, 2016. "Accounting-Based Valuation Using Market Multiples: The Case Of Cyclical Companies," DEM Working Papers Series 126, University of Pavia, Department of Economics and Management.
    8. José Couto & Paula Brito & António Cerqueira, 2017. "The Method of Market Multiples on the Valuation of Companies: A Multivariate Approach," FEP Working Papers 586, Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Economia do Porto.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    comparables; selection method; valuing companies; forecasts; EBIT; industry membership; ROA;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G19 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Other
    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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