Valuation and Appraisal

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Valuation Guide: Insurance Broker

Industry Description According to the US Census Bureau, the insurance brokerage industry (NAICS 524210) comprises of establishments primarily engaged acting as brokers/agents in selling annuities and insurance policies underwritten by insurance carriers.  The insurance brokerage industry is a vital component of the larger insurance sector as they act as intermediaries between insurance carriers and consumers. [...]

Valuation Guide: Commercial Banks

Industry Description According to the US Census Bureau, the commercial banking industry (NAICS 522110) is comprised of establishments primarily engaged in accepting demand and other deposits and making commercial, industrial, and consumer loans.  It is a global, multi-billion dollar industry that acts as in intermediary between those with money (their depositors) and those seeking money [...]

Valuation Guide: Casinos

Industry Description According to the US Census Bureau, casino hotels (NAICS 721120) comprises establishments primarily engaged in providing short-term lodging in hotel facilities with a casino on the premises. The casino on premises includes table wagering games and may include other gambling activities, such as slot machines and sports betting. These establishments generally offer a [...]

Valuation Guide: Skilled Nursing Facility

Industry Description The skilled nursing facility industry, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau (NAICS 623110), consists of companies primarily engaged in providing inpatient nursing and rehabilitative services. The care is generally provided for an extended period of time to individuals requiring nursing care. These establishments have a permanent core staff of registered or licensed [...]

Cannabis Valuation Guide

October 2018 The general principles of valuing enterprises apply to a cannabis company. However, the regulatory and growth attributes of the cannabis industry complicates considerably the valuation of a cannabis-related enterprise. This guide discusses unique valuation considerations for cannabis-related appraisals. Currently, there are numerous publicly-traded companies in the cannabis area. Although there is considerable money [...]

Appeals Court Says Missing Information Doesn’t Prevent Business Valuation

September 2014 A recent Appeals Court decision addressed what level of evidence is required to demonstrate business value in a divorce proceeding. In Hugh v. Hugh, 2014, the wife in a divorce proceeding filed a cross-appeal on a number of issues, including the trial court’s failure to value her husband’s business (“E-Tech”). The Appeals Court [...]

2019-03-06T11:37:44-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Reducing The Valuation Gap In Business Transactions

March 2014 Pepperdine University’s recently released Private Capital Markets Project (“PCMP”) reveals some interesting statistics derived from their survey of the current marketplace for privately-held business sales.  One of the key topics is how a failure to come to terms on valuation conclusions often prevents deals from closing.  For instance, investment bankers surveyed report that [...]

2019-03-06T11:19:31-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Valuation Guide: Department Stores

Industry Description The department store industry (SIC 5311, NAICS 45211) consists of retail establishments that sell a variety of products such as clothing, cosmetics, footwear, and home furnishings, typically through decentralized points of sale throughout the store.  Department stores may also offer various services such as hair styling, photography, gift wrapping, and personal shopping. Global [...]

Valuation Guide: Pharmaceuticals

Industry Description The U.S. pharmaceutical industry, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, consists of companies primarily engaged in researching, developing, manufacturing and marketing drugs for human or veterinary use (NAICS 3254).  The industry consists of both brand name and generic drugs, with different companies specializing in each type.  Brand name drugs are patent protected [...]

Valuation Guide: Movie Theaters

Industry Description The movie theater industry (SIC 7830, NAICS 51213) consists of companies engaged in exhibiting motion pictures in movie theaters, film festivals, and drive-in theaters.  Approximately 60% of industry sales are generated from sales of feature film admissions, the remaining comes primarily from the concession and advertising business.[1]  Movie theaters’ profitability is largely dependent [...]

Valuation Guide: Trucking Companies

Industry Description The trucking industry in the U.S. comprises both local and long-distance freight transportation (SIC 4212, 4213, NAICS 484000).  Long distance trucking makes up approximately 70% of the industry, while local trucking encompasses the remaining 30%.[1]  The industry is also further divided into truckload and less-than-truckload (LTL) services. In the U.S., truck transportation contributes [...]

Valuation Guide: Medical Device Industry

Industry Description The medical device industry (SIC 3840, NAICS 339112) consists of companies engaged in manufacturing medical and surgical instruments used to diagnose and treat healthcare patients.  The United States is both the leading producer and consumer of medical devices.  The industry experienced annual double digit growth from 2007 to 2012[1]; however, it experienced negative [...]

Valuation Guide: Online Dating Industry

Industry Description The online dating industry (SIC 7299, NAICS 812990) consists of companies engaged in online matchmaking services. Most companies generate revenue under a subscription model.  Often, “browsing” will be free, but messaging or contacting other users will require a subscription.  Alternatively, some websites generate revenue solely through advertising and are free for users. In [...]

Court Cites Expert’s Inappropriate Reliance On “Outlier” Conclusion Of Value

April 2013 A discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis is a commonly-used and conceptually excellent method of performing a business valuation in which a projection is made of expected future results. However, it is possible to manipulate the inputs into the future projection to arrive at specifically-desired results. Once completed, it is also important to consider [...]

2019-03-05T14:42:52-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Valuation Guide: Cargo Shipping

Industry Description The U.S. freight shipping industry comprises deep sea freight transportation, inland water freight transportation, and coastal and Great Lakes freight transportation (SIC 4412, 4424, 4432, 4449; NAICS 483111, 483211, 483113).  It is a subsector of the water transportation sector (NAICS 483).  The global deep-sea, coastal, and inland water transportation industry has experienced an [...]

Valuation Guide: Grocery Stores

Industry Description The grocery industry (SIC 5411, NAICS 7445110) consists of retail locations selling food products.  There are almost 65,000 grocery and supermarket locations across the U.S., according to Census data.[1]  U.S. supermarkets and grocery stores generate annual revenues of approximately $491 billion.[2] A typical grocery store is about 46,000 square feet in size and [...]

Valuation Guide: Newspaper Publishing

Description of the Industry The newspaper publishing industry (SIC 2711-98, NAICS 511110) is engaged in the production of daily, weekly, and bi-weekly newspapers as well as Internet news services. The U.S. newspaper industry includes about 5,000 companies earning combined annual revenue of about $35 billion with the top 50 companies controlling about 80 percent of [...]

Valuation Guide: Magazine Publishing

Description of the Industry The U.S. magazine and periodical industry (SIC 2721, NAICS 511120) includes general interest magazines, trade publications, and academic periodicals.  The magazine and periodical industry generates approximately $37 billion in revenue each year.[1]  Approximately 68% of this total is generated from sales and advertising in general interest periodicals, 17% is from financial, [...]

Valuation Guide: Book Publishing

Description of the Industry The book publishing industry (SIC 5111, NAICS 511130) is engaged in the production of books. Publishing companies carry out the design, editing, marketing, and distribution of books.  Publishers may distribute books in print, audio, or, increasingly, electronic form.  Textbooks make up the largest segment of book sales, followed by adult trade [...]

Valuation Guide: Art Dealers and Galleries

Description of the Industry The U.S art dealer industry (NAICS 453920, SIC 5999), includes approximately 23,000 businesses nationwide and generates almost $9 billion in revenues each year. Art dealers, including art galleries, are retail businesses that buy and sell art. In addition to galleries, auction houses and dealers without gallery space are also included in [...]

Valuation Guide: Advertising Agencies

Description of Industry Advertising agencies (SIC 7310, 7311; NAICS 541810) are traditionally known to prepare and place advertisements through magazines, newspapers, the internet, television and radio. However, globalization of the industry has led many agencies to expand their suite of services. Many advertising firms now offer media planning, market research, graphic design, media buying and [...]

Valuation Guide: Hair and Beauty Salons

Description of the Industry The U.S hair and beauty salon industry (NAICS 812112, SIC 7231), includes approximately 250,000 shops nationwide and accumulates approximately $20 billion in revenues each year. The salon industry is dominated by small, single-owner establishments, although chains and franchises have become increasingly common.  The industry is highly fragmented, with the 50 largest [...]

A Primer For Valuing Options

January 2013 Option contracts existed as early as ancient Greece.  Aristotle wrote in his Politics how Thales made a fortune in option contracts for olive presses. Thales, who previously was poor, forecasted that the olive harvest would be exceptionally good the next fall season. Being confident in his predictions, he offered a deal to olive-press [...]

2019-03-01T11:28:53-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

The 12 Days Of Christmas – A Lesson In How A Complex Appraisal Can Go Astray

December 2011 Is Christmas becoming more expensive?  For the first time ever, the cost of the gifts featured in the Christmas carol, “Twelve Days of Christmas,” totals more than $100,000.  Financial services company, PNC Wealth Management, just released its 28th annual estimate of the “Christmas price index”, a whimsical economic indicator that tallies the prices [...]

2019-03-01T11:37:22-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

IRS Criticizes Every Marketability Valuation Approach But Does Not Explain What Should Be Done Instead

November 2011 When a minority interest in a privately-held company is transferred, a discount from the value of the entire company is calculated to reflect the lack of marketability of such an interest. These marketability discounts are important in many estate plans and related transfers. These discounts for lack of marketability (DLOM) should be calculated [...]

2019-03-01T10:41:44-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Steps In Valuing Intellectual Property

Intellectual property (including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets, software, entertainment assets, customer lists, in-process research, etc.) is a large portion of the value of most business enterprises. When entering into any transaction involving intellectual property, you need to properly value these assets. This is easier said than done. This article cannot provide a complete "how-to" [...]

2019-01-16T15:36:05-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Goodwill Valuations – The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Because of the current recession and related bear market, practically every company will need to pay greater attention to its annual goodwill impairment test required under Financial Accounting Standard 142 ("SFAS 142"). Many companies performing an updated goodwill impairment analysis will find that impairment has occurred. In addition, earlier goodwill assessments probably need to be [...]

2019-01-16T15:42:37-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Buyer Beware – The Alphabet Soup Of Appraisal Credentials

Appraisal disciplines have a confusing array of credentials. This occurs because: There are numerous asset types (e.g. real estate, businesses, machinery, fine arts, jewelry), with each asset type having its own sponsoring organizations, and There are numerous appraisal and other organizations that sponsor appraisal certifications, with wide variance in the standards employed. This is important [...]

2018-12-05T11:58:51-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Additional Disclosure Regarding Fairness Opinions Now Required In Proxy Statements

On October 17, 2007, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) published its approval of amended Rule 2290 in the Federal Register. The new rule 2290 involves disclosures and procedures related to the issuance of “independent” fairness opinions included in proxy statements. Specifically, any proxy statement that includes a fairness opinion will soon need to disclose: [...]

2019-01-14T10:39:13-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Valuation Guide: Dental Practices

Industry Description The dental industry is generally defined as the professional and licensed practice of preventing, diagnosing and treating diseases, injuries, and malformations of the teeth, jaw, and mouth.  The dental industry is highly fragmented, consisting mostly of sole practitioners that practice general dentistry.  Typical dental offices have one dentist, two oral hygienists and one [...]

Valuation Guide: Dry Cleaners

  Description of the Industry The dry cleaners industry (SIC 7211, 7212, and NAICS 812320) provides full service laundering and dry cleaning for consumers and commercial clients. The growth of a dry cleaning business depends on consumer spending, operating efficiency, and favorable locations.  The dry cleaning industry is highly fragmented, with the 50 largest firms [...]

Valuation Guide: Hotels

Industry Description The hotel and lodging industry (SIC 7011 and NAICS 721110)  includes a variety of properties that offer short-term lodging. [1]  The properties range from five-star hotels to recreational vehicle parks.  Within the United States, the industry includes 51,214 properties of 15 or more rooms. [2]  The industry generated $137.5 billion dollars in sales [...]

Valuation Guide: Fast Food Franchise

Description of the Industry The fast food industry (SIC 5812, NAICS 722211) consists of eating establishments where customers pay before eating, including eat-in, take-out, drive-thru and delivery establishments.  Fast food franchises, carryout restaurants, delicatessens, pizzerias, and sandwich shops all fall within this category.  In general, fast food restaurants emphasize dining at a low cost with [...]

Valuation Guide: Restaurants

Description of the Industry The restaurant industry (SIC 5812, NAICS 722110) consists of table-service dining establishments.  These establishments may also engage in the sale of alcoholic beverages, takeout services, and entertainment.  In general, full service restaurants differ from fast-food or other dining places in that they (i) have a full menu of appetizers, entrees, desserts, [...]

Valuation Guide: Auto Repair Shops

  Summary Because the starting financial statements often contain important transactions with owner/operators and other related parties, the financial statements will need to be scrutinized and probably adjusted.   Once reliable adjusted financial statements are available, the following valuation methods are most commonly used to value auto repair shops: Asset-based valuation – Particularly for a company [...]

Valuation Guide: Auto Dealerships

Summary The value of an auto dealership facility generally fluctuates with the strength of the auto sales market and interest rates.  Although each appraisal assignment is different, the value of a healthy and profitable auto dealership is generally going to place primary reliance on the income and market approaches.  A summary of public and private [...]

New M&A Accounting Contains Important Changes

April 2008 In December 2007, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS 141R, "Business Combinations". The statement is the first major result of the joint convergence agreement between the FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The IASB’s comparable financial reporting standard (Standard 3) was issued in January 2008. Having a common set [...]

2019-02-06T13:03:29-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

New Advice for Special Committees And Their Financial Advisors

November 2007 The Delaware Chancery Court issued an opinion (Tele-Communications, Inc. Shareholders Litigation, C.A. No. 16470, December 21, 2005) that questions a number of widely-established procedures used when addressing the fairness of merger transactions.  Wise corporate directors and lawyers will need to more closely scrutinize (i) conflicts of interest issues involving investment bankers and (ii) [...]

2019-02-06T11:38:52-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Analysis of Technology Spending Underscores Key Appraisal Concepts

Fulcrum regularly appraises patents, technology, and other intellectual property.  We often encounter resistance from those who are seeking large appraised values to support sales or financing.  When the technology has not been successfully exploited, and there are no tangible plans for such exploitation, the clients often exclaim, “How can the value be this low?  You [...]

2019-01-15T10:08:13-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Valuation Case Instructs Controversial Valuation Topics, And The Proper Use Of Expert Witnesses

A 2006 case from the Delaware Chancery Court (Open MRI vs. Kessler - Case No. C.A. 275-N) addresses several current valuation issues. However, in the process of explaining its rationale, the Court also provides important reminders regarding how (not) to handle expert testimony. Important Valuation Principles Perhaps the most important (and currently the most controversial) [...]

2019-01-16T12:34:23-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

IRS Issues Guidance on Appraisal Standards

November 2006 The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) released Notice 2006-96, which provides guidance regarding the meaning of “qualified appraiser” and “qualified appraisal” contained in Internal Revenue Code (IRC) Section 170(f)(11).  This portion of the IRC requires that a taxpayer substantiate the value of non-cash charitable contributions by obtaining an appraisal of the donated property. Appraisals [...]

2019-02-05T13:06:07-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Fair Value Accounting Gets Additional Guidance

October 2006 The Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement 157 entitled "Fair Value Measurements" on September 15, 2006. The statement defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted account principles (GAAP), and expands disclosure about fair value measurements. The statement does not require new fair value measurements, but it [...]

2019-02-05T13:02:13-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

Charitable Contributions of Property Become More Restricted

September 2006 The Pension Protection Act of 2006 is aimed at improving defined benefit plans, but it also contains important unrelated changes affecting charitable contributions.  Some of these contribution rules will affect practically everyone. Under current law, taxpayers are not required to obtain a receipt for contributions under $250.  Effective January 1, 2007 (for calendar [...]

2019-02-05T12:57:03-08:00Valuation and Appraisal|

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