Valuation of High-Tech Companies Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Valuation of High-Tech Companies Sanjai Bhagat Provost Professor of Finance University of Colorado – Boulder http://leeds-faculty.colorado.edu/bhagat/

Approaches to Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Approaches to Valuation Discounted cashflow valuation. Relative valuation. Real option valuation: Uses option pricing models to measure the price of stocks whose value depends on assets that have option-like characteristics.

Advantages of DCF Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Advantages of DCF Valuation Since DCF valuation is based upon an asset’s fundamentals, it should be less exposed to market moods and perceptions. If good investors buy businesses, rather than stocks (the Warren Buffett adage), discounted cash flow valuation is the right way to think about what you are getting when you buy an asset.

Disadvantages of DCF Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Disadvantages of DCF Valuation Since it is an attempt to estimate intrinsic value, it requires far more inputs and information than other valuation approaches These inputs and information are not only noisy (and difficult to estimate), but can be manipulated by the savvy analyst to provide the conclusion he or she wants.

When DCF Valuation works best Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion When DCF Valuation works best This approach is easiest to use for assets (firms) whose cashflows are currently positive, and can be estimated with some reliability for future periods, and It works best for investors who either have a long time horizon, allowing the market time to correct its valuation mistakes and for price to revert to “true” value or,

Market Valuation of Digital Lightwave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Market Valuation of Digital Lightwave Share Price : $4.87 Market Value : $153 million

Present Value of DLWave’s Cashflows Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Present Value of DLWave’s Cashflows Current Market Capitalization of DLWave : $ 153 million. Earnings of DLWave: $ 2.8 million. Cashflow of DLWave: $6.2 million. Assumptions Annual growth during the next 5 years 25% Cost of capital 18% Low growth rate after next 5 years 10% Number of years of low growth 5 Present Value of DL Wave’s Cashflows : $66 million

Relative Valuation of Digital Lightwave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Relative Valuation of Digital Lightwave

Advantages of Relative Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Advantages of Relative Valuation Relative valuation is much more likely to reflect market perceptions and moods than discounted cash flow valuation. Relative valuation generally requires less information than discounted cash flow valuation.

Disadvantages of Relative Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Disadvantages of Relative Valuation Relative valuation may require less information in the way in which most analysts and portfolio managers use it. However, this is because implicit assumptions are made about other variables (that would have been required in a discounted cash flow valuation). To the extent that these implicit assumptions are wrong the relative valuation will also be wrong.

Value of Firm = FCFF1: expected free cash flow to the firm Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Value of Firm = FCFF1: expected free cash flow to the firm k: firm’s cost of capital g: growth in the expected free cash flow to the firm Dividing both sides by FCFF1 yields the Value/FCFF multiple for a stable growth firm:

Introduction. DCF Valuation. Relative Valuation. Real Option Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion The Value/FCFF multiple for a stable growth firm: Hence, picking a certain number for the Value/FCFF ratio implies certain assumptions about k and g. Similarly, for Price/Earnings, Price/Sales, Price/EBITDA, etc.

Price/Cash Flow Ratio for different k (in bold) and g (in italics)

When relative valuation works best Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion When relative valuation works best This approach is easiest to use when there are a large number of assets comparable to the one being valued these assets are priced in a market there exists some common variable that can be used to standardize the price.

Relative Valuation of Digital Lightwave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Relative Valuation of Digital Lightwave Acterna Agilent Tektronix Industry Price/Sales Ratio 0.19 1.99 2.05 1.56 Digital Lightwave 15.7 164.8 170.0 129.2 ($ millions)

Introduction. DCF Valuation. Relative Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion What is a Real Option? Traditional discounted cashflow approaches cannot properly capture the company’s flexibility to adapt and revise later - decisions in response to unexpected market developments. Traditional approaches assume an expected scenario of cashflows and presumes management’s passive commitment to a certain static operating strategy.

Introduction. DCF Valuation. Relative Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion What is a Real Option? The real world is characterized by change, uncertainty and competitive interactions => As new information arrives and uncertainty about market conditions is resolved, the company may have valuable flexibility to alter its initial operating strategy in order to capitalize on favorable future opportunities or to react so as to mitigate losses. This flexibility is like financial options, and is known as Real Options.

Source of value in an option Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Source of value in an option Financial Options: A call option gives the owner the right, with no obligation, to acquire the underlying asset by paying a pre-specified amount (the exercise price, X) on or before the maturity date. Value of a Call Option on the Maturity Date X Stock Price on the Maturity Date Source of value in an option: The asymmetry from having the right but not the obligation to exercise the option.

Examples of Real Options Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Examples of Real Options Option to invest in a new technology-based service/product, as the result of a successful R&D effort. Equity in a firm with negative earnings and high leverage. The patent and other intellectual property owned by a firm.

Real Option and Classical Valuation of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Real Option and Classical Valuation of DLWave Current Market Capitalization of DLWave : $ 153 million. Earnings of DLWave: $ 2.8 million. Current Market Value = Present Value of Cashflows from Assets in Place + Present Value of Cashflows from Future Growth Opportunities Discounted Cashflow Technique: More appropriate for valuing cashflows from Assets in Place. Real Option Valuation: More appropriate for valuing cashflows from Future Growth Opportunities.

Present Value of Cashflows from Assets in Place Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Present Value of Cashflows from Assets in Place Cashflow of DLWave: $6.2 million Assumptions Annual growth during the next 5 years 25% Cost of capital 18% Low growth rate after next 5 years 10% Number of years of low growth 5 Present Value of Cashflows from Assets in Place: $66 million

Real Option Value Component of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Real Option Value Component of DLWave We use a modification of the Black-Scholes option pricing model to value the real options associated with DLWave: Value of real option = V e-yt N(d1) - X e -rt N(d2) . where, d1 = [ ln (V/X) + (r - y + (s2)/2) t ] / s(t) ½ . d2 = d1 - s (t) ½ . N (.) = Cumulative normal density function. continued...

Real Option Value Component of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Real Option Value Component of DLWave Value of real option = V e-yt N(d1) - X e -rt N(d2) . where, d1 = [ ln (V/X) + (r - y + (s2)/2) t ] / s(t) ½ . d2 = d1 - s (t) ½ . V = Present value of expected cash inflows from investing in DLWave’s future opportunities (under base case assumptions) = $235 million. X = Present value of the costs of investing in DLwave’s future opportunities (under base case assumptions) = $226 million. Hence, classical discounted cashflow valuation technique would suggest a value of $9 million from investing in DLWave’s future opportunities.

Real Option Value Component of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Real Option Value Component of DLWave Current Market Capitalization of DLWave : $ 153 million. Present Value of Cashflows from Assets in Place: $66 million Classical discounted cashflow valuation technique would suggest a value of $9 million from investing in DLWave’s future opportunities.

Real Option Value Component of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Real Option Value Component of DLWave Value of real option = V e-yt N(d1) - X e -rt N(d2) . where, d1 = [ ln (V/X) + (r - y + (s2)/2) t ] / s(t) ½ . d2 = d1 - s (t) ½ . s 2 = Variance in the expected cash inflows over time, allowing for technological, legal, and market changes = 40%. t = Number of years during which the real option can be exercised = 4 years. y = “Dividend yield” of the project before the option is exercised. r = Riskfree interest rate for t years = 1.5%.

Real Option Value Component of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Real Option Value Component of DLWave Base Case Assumptions Population = 270 million Potential Market = 15% of population Likely penetration of potential market = 30% Annual revenues per customer = $12 Cost of capital = 18% Number of years of competitive advantage = 5 Variable operating costs = 70% of revenue Real Option Value = $86 million

Real Option Value Component of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Real Option Value Component of DLWave Current Market Value = Present Value of Cashflows from Assets in Place + Present Value of Cashflows from Future Growth Opportunities Current Market Value = $66 million + $86 million = $152 million

Sensitivity Analysis of Real Option Value Component of DLWave Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion Sensitivity Analysis of Real Option Value Component of DLWave

Introduction. DCF Valuation. Relative Valuation. Real Option Valuation Introduction DCF Valuation Relative Valuation Real Option Valuation Conclusion The Bottom Line Traditional valuation procedures cannot properly capture the company’s flexibility to adapt and revise later decisions in response to unexpected competitive/technological/market developments. The real option technique can value the company’s flexibility to alter its initial operating strategy in order to capitalize on favorable future growth opportunities or to react so as to mitigate losses. Valuations computed using the real option technique are often closer to market valuations for high-growth stocks.

Valuation of IPOs S. Bhagat, R. Aggarwal, S Valuation of IPOs S. Bhagat, R. Aggarwal, S. Rangan The Oxford Handbook of Venture Capital Oxford University Press

“Early profitability is not the key to value in a company like this (Inktomi).” Jerry Kennelly, Chief Financial Officer of Inktomi Inc “But valuations are just as often based on gut feel. As one entrepreneur told me, “Its as if everybody just settles on a number that they are comfortable with.” Gove in Red Herring.

Value of IPO w.r.t. Net Income

Impact of Ownership Structure on IPO Valuation Post-IPO ownership levels of CEO Officers & Directors Venture Capitalists Other 5% Blockholders Changes in percentage ownership of above four categories of owners at the time of IPO. Greater the post-IPO ownership, and smaller the sales by each of these four categories of owners greater the IPO valuation.