Terminal Value

Calculating Terminal Value in Financial Modeling

Deepen your understanding of Terminal Value (TV), a critical aspect in assessing the value of an asset, business, or project beyond the forecasted period. Learn how it is calculated and the two commonly used methods - perpetual growth and exit multiple.

Key Insights

  • Terminal Value (TV) refers to the value of an asset, business, or project beyond the period where future cash flows can be estimated.
  • The calculation of Terminal Value assumes that a business will continue to grow at a set growth rate indefinitely after the forecasted period.
  • Terminal value often contributes a significant percentage of the total assessed value.
  • Two popular methods of calculating Terminal Value are the perpetual growth model (Gordon Growth Model) and the exit multiple method.
  • The formula for Terminal Value calculation in the given example is expressed as H23 = H22*(1+C5)/(C4-C5).
  • The article provides visuals to help understand the computation of Terminal Value in the context of financial analysis.

Financial Modeling Essentials

  • Three-Statement Model

    Income statement, balance sheet, cash flow — linked.

  • Forecasting Drivers

    Revenue: price × quantity. Costs: % of revenue or per-unit.

  • Sensitivity Analysis

    Data tables for what-if on key inputs.

  • Returns Analysis

    IRR, NPV, payback — investment decision metrics.

Play video

  • Terminal value (TV) is the value of an asset, business, or project beyond the forecasted period when future cash flows can be estimated
  • Terminal value assumes a business will grow at a set growth rate forever after the forecast period
  • Terminal value often comprises a large percentage of the total assessed value

There are two commonly used methods to calculate terminal value—perpetual growth (Gordon Growth Model) and exit multiple.

Terminal value formula showing the Gordon Growth Model calculation in a spreadsheet

Let’s calculate Terminal Value in our example”

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H23 = H22*(1+C5)/(C4-C5)

Spreadsheet showing terminal value calculation using the formula H22 times one plus growth rate divided by discount rate minus growth rate

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