Goodwill Valuation Guide

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In this article, we will look at how to value goodwill which has no market scale available to measure it. It differs from business to business and region to region.

In this regard, here are the top 4 methods that can be used for Goodwill Valuation.

#1 – Purchase of average profit method

Under this goodwill valuation method, the average (mean or median) profit of last few years is multiplied by a certain number of years in order to calculate the value of goodwill.

Formula simply is Goodwill = Average profit x Years of purchase.

Average profit = Total profits of all or agreed years/Number of years

Goodwill valuation Example #1

X & Co wants to sell the business to ABC & Co on 31^st Dec 2016. Profits of the business are as follows for last 5 years.

Year	Net Profit(US$)	Remarks
2011	100 million
2012	120 million	Includes one-time profit of $5 million which is not expected in future
2013	90 million	Includes extraordinary loss of $10 million which is not expected in future
2014	150 million
2015	200 million
2016	220 million

ABC & Company proprietor Mr.A who is currently employed at $1 million. The business of X & co which is currently managed by salaried employee X at $0.5 million. Now ABC decided to replace the manager and decided to be managed by Mr.A.

Both companies agree to value goodwill on the basis of 4 years purchase of average profit for last 6 years.

Goodwill Valuation of X& Co
Profit of 2011	100 million	100 million
Profit of 2012	120 million
Less: One-time profit of 5 million	5 million	115 million
Profit of 2013	90 million
Add: Extraordinary loss of 10 million	10 million
Profit of 2014	150 million	150 million
Profit of 2015	200 million	200 million
Profit of 2016	220 million	220 million
Total		$885 million
Average profit	(885 million/6)	$147.5 million
Add: Manager salary		0.5 million
Less: Mr.A Salary		1 million
Expected average Net Profit		$147 million
Goodwill Valuation	(147X 4)	$588 million

#2 – Purchase of weighted average profit method

This goodwill valuation method is simply an extension of the above method, where instead of a simple average, we use a weighted average. This method is used when the trend of profits are rising.

Goodwill valuation Example #2

Let us use the above example to understand this method. Weights attached are as follows 2011-1, 2012-1, 2013-2, 2014-2, 2015 & 2016-3

Goodwill Valuation of X& Co
Profit of 2011	100 million	100 million
Profit of 2012	120 million
Less: One-time profit of 5 million	5 million	115 million
Profit of 2013	90 million
Add: Extraordinary loss of 10 million	10 million	100 million
Profit of 2014	150 million	150 million
Profit of 2015	200 million	200 million
Profit of 2016	220 million	220 million
Total		$885 million
Weighted Average profit	*[(1001)+(1151)+(1002)+(1502)+(2003)+(2203)]÷(1+1+2+2+3+3)*	164.5 million
Add: Manager salary		0.5 million
Less: Mr.A Salary		1 million
Expected average Net Profit		$164 million
Value of Goodwill	(164X 4)	$656 million

#3 – Capitalisation Method

In this method, goodwill is calculated by ascertaining the difference between the capitalizing the expected average net profit using the normal rate of return and net tangible assets of the company.

Goodwill = Capitalised average net profit –Net tangible assets

Goodwill valuation Example 3

Let us again continue the above example to calculate in this method. The normal rate of return is assumed at 10% and an average profit of the X&Co as calculated above is $147 million and

Assuming assets of the company are $1850 million and liabilities are $600.

Capitalised value of profit = 147 million/10% = $1,470 million
Net assets of the X&Co= 1850 million-600 million = $1,250 million US$
Value of goodwill = 1470- 1250 = $220 million

#4 – Super profit Goodwill Valuation Method:

Under this goodwill method, super profit is calculated to determine the value of goodwill. Super profit is the excess profit earned by the company compared to its peers in the industry.

Goodwill = Super Profit x No of years of purchase

Lets us take an example to understand it further.

Goodwill valuation Example 4

Following are the details of XYZ &Co.

	US $
Capital Invested	$60,000
Profits
2011	$10,000
2012	$11,000
2013	$15,000
2014	$21,000
2015	$18,000
2016	$19,000
The market rate of return on investment	10%
The rate of risk return on capital invested in the business	2%
Remuneration of alternative employment of the proprietor if not engaged in the business	$2,000
Average profit (10000+11000+15000+21000+18000+19000)÷6	$15,667
Less: Propeitor employeement remunaration	$2,000
	$13,667
Normal rate of capital employed 10% +2% =12% on $60,000	$7,200
Super profit(13,667-7200)	$6,467
Goodwill ($ 6,467×4 years)(Assuming 4 years of purchase)	$25,868

In this goodwill valuation example, average profit may be calculated by using the weighted average method as well.

Top Things to know about Goodwill Valuation

One or two years of profit is taken for goodwill valuation if retiring chairman of the business is the main source of the success of the business. Generally, three to five years of purchase is usually taken.
A large number of years may be taken if the super profit is large or business is highly profitable.
Sometimes goodwill also increases if there are many parties bidding to the business and seller wants to increase the premium of business irrespective of super profits or average profits.
Sometimes a business may be doing losses, even then goodwill may be paid if the future prospects of the business are very high.
Goodwill valuation is also dependant on the synergies an acquiring company gets due to merger and not solely depends on profits.
Sometimes, goodwill valuation also depends on the technology or R&D a company possesses or a specific set of customers a company may have or specific sectors a company may be operating in.

Goodwill Valuation