Syllabus topics (RTMNU)
- Meaning
- Need for Valuation of Shares
- Factors affecting the Value of shares
- Methods of valuation of Shares
- Net Assets Method/Intrinsic Value Method
- Yield Method
- Fair value method, based on the Indian Company Act, 2013
Meaning of Valuation of Shares
Definition: Valuation of shares means finding the fair money value of one share of a company on a given date, using accepted methods based on its assets, profits and dividends.
The market price of a listed share is fixed by buyers and sellers on the stock exchange (NSE/BSE). But shares of private companies and unlisted companies have no market price, so their value must be calculated. Even for listed shares, valuation is needed when the market price is not a true picture.
Need for Valuation of Shares
Valuation is needed in these situations:
- Amalgamation and absorption: to fix how many shares of the new company are given for old shares.
- Purchase of a block of shares: when a buyer wants to take control of a company.
- Unlisted shares: private company shares have no stock-exchange price.
- Taxation: for gift, wealth or capital gains purposes, the fair market value is needed.
- Loans against shares: banks lend against shares as security.
- Conversion of shares: e.g. conversion of preference shares into equity shares.
- Compensation: when a company is taken over by the Government (nationalisation).
- Dissenting shareholders: those who do not agree to a scheme of merger are paid the fair value of their shares.
- ESOPs and buy-back: issue of shares to employees or buy-back needs a fair price.
Factors Affecting the Value of Shares
- Net worth of the company: more net assets per share means higher value.
- Earning capacity: regular and growing profits raise the value.
- Rate of dividend: a steady, high dividend attracts investors.
- Dividend policy and reserves: big reserves mean safety and future bonus shares.
- Demand and supply of the shares in the market.
- Goodwill and management: good name and good management raise value.
- Nature of business and economic conditions: growing industries (IT, pharma) get higher value.
- Government policy: taxes, licensing and controls affect value.
- Size of holding: a controlling block of shares is worth more per share than a few shares.
Methods of Valuation of Shares
There are three main methods:
- Net Assets Method (Intrinsic Value / Asset Backing / Break-up Value Method)
- Yield Method (Market Value / Income Method)
- Fair Value Method (Dual Method) — average of the above two
1. Net Assets Method / Intrinsic Value Method
Meaning: The value of a share is found by dividing the net assets available for equity shareholders by the number of equity shares. It shows what each share would get if the company were closed (wound up).
Steps:
- Take all assets at their revalued (realisable) figures, including goodwill and non-trade investments.
- Do not include fictitious assets (preliminary expenses, discount on issue of shares, debit balance of P&L).
- Deduct all outside liabilities: creditors, bills payable, debentures, loans, provisions, outstanding expenses, proposed tax.
- Deduct preference share capital (and arrears of preference dividend, if payable).
- The balance is net assets for equity shareholders.
- Divide by the number of equity shares.
Merits: simple; useful in winding up and amalgamation; based on the Balance Sheet. Demerits: ignores earning power; revaluation of assets is a matter of opinion; not suitable for a running (going) concern.
Illustration 1 (Net Assets Method): The Balance Sheet of Vidarbha Traders Ltd as on 31 March 2026 is as follows:
| Liabilities | ₹ | Assets | ₹ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equity share capital (10,000 shares of ₹100 each) | 10,00,000 | Goodwill | 1,00,000 |
| 8% Preference share capital (2,000 shares of ₹100) | 2,00,000 | Land & Building | 6,00,000 |
| General Reserve | 80,000 | Plant & Machinery | 4,00,000 |
| Profit & Loss A/c | 40,000 | Stock | 2,50,000 |
| 10% Debentures | 2,00,000 | Debtors | 2,00,000 |
| Creditors | 1,50,000 | Cash at Bank | 1,00,000 |
| Preliminary expenses | 20,000 | ||
| Total | 16,70,000 | Total | 16,70,000 |
Revalued figures: Goodwill ₹1,50,000; Land & Building ₹8,00,000; Plant ₹3,50,000; a 5% provision for doubtful debts is needed on debtors. Find the intrinsic value of an equity share.
Solution: Statement of net assets available for equity shareholders
| Particulars | ₹ | ₹ |
|---|---|---|
| Goodwill (revalued) | 1,50,000 | |
| Land & Building (revalued) | 8,00,000 | |
| Plant & Machinery (revalued) | 3,50,000 | |
| Stock | 2,50,000 | |
| Debtors 2,00,000 less 5% provision 10,000 | 1,90,000 | |
| Cash at Bank | 1,00,000 | |
| Total real assets | 18,40,000 | |
| Less: Creditors | 1,50,000 | |
| Less: 10% Debentures | 2,00,000 | |
| Less: Preference share capital | 2,00,000 | 5,50,000 |
| Net assets for equity shareholders | 12,90,000 |
Intrinsic value per share = ₹12,90,000 ÷ 10,000 = ₹129. (Preliminary expenses ₹20,000 are fictitious and are ignored.)
2. Yield Method
Meaning: The value of a share is based on the return (dividend or profit) the investor expects, compared with the normal rate of return in that industry. It is best for valuing a small number of shares, because a small investor is interested in dividends, not in assets.
Value per share = Expected rate ÷ Normal rate of return × Paid-up value per share
Profit available for equity dividend = Average future maintainable profit − tax − transfer to reserves − preference dividend.
Illustration 2 (Yield Method): Paid-up capital of Satpuda Ltd: 1,00,000 equity shares of ₹10 each (₹10,00,000) and 10% preference shares ₹5,00,000. Average profit before tax ₹4,00,000; tax rate 25%; 20% of profit after tax is transferred to General Reserve every year. The normal rate of return in the industry is 10%. Find the value of an equity share.
| Particulars | ₹ |
|---|---|
| Average profit before tax | 4,00,000 |
| Less: Tax @ 25% | 1,00,000 |
| Profit after tax | 3,00,000 |
| Less: Transfer to General Reserve (20% of 3,00,000) | 60,000 |
| 2,40,000 | |
| Less: Preference dividend (10% of 5,00,000) | 50,000 |
| Profit available for equity shareholders | 1,90,000 |
Expected rate of dividend = 1,90,000 ÷ 10,00,000 × 100 = 19%.
Value per share = 19 ÷ 10 × ₹10 = ₹19.
3. Fair Value Method (based on the Companies Act, 2013 practice)
Meaning: Fair value is the simple average of the intrinsic value and the yield value. It gives weight both to the assets (safety) and to the earnings (return) of the company. It is commonly used for share exchange in amalgamation and for unlisted shares.
Illustration 3: If the intrinsic value of a share is ₹129 and its yield value is ₹111, the fair value = (129 + 111) ÷ 2 = ₹120.
Companies Act, 2013 link: Under Section 247 of the Companies Act, 2013, when a valuation of shares, property, net worth or assets is required under the Act, it must be done by a Registered Valuer. Accounting standards (Ind AS 113, Fair Value Measurement) define fair value as the price received to sell an asset in an orderly market transaction.
Likely exam questions
- (Long, 8/16 marks) What is valuation of shares? Explain the need for valuation of shares and the factors affecting the value of shares.
- (Long, 8/16 marks) From the following Balance Sheet of Vidarbha Traders Ltd, find the intrinsic value of an equity share: Equity capital 10,000 shares of ₹100 = ₹10,00,000; 8% Preference capital ₹2,00,000; General Reserve ₹80,000; P&L A/c ₹40,000; 10% Debentures ₹2,00,000; Creditors ₹1,50,000; Goodwill ₹1,00,000 (revalued ₹1,50,000); Land & Building ₹6,00,000 (revalued ₹8,00,000); Plant ₹4,00,000 (revalued ₹3,50,000); Stock ₹2,50,000; Debtors ₹2,00,000 (5% provision needed); Cash ₹1,00,000; Preliminary expenses ₹20,000.
- (Short, 4 marks) Explain the Yield Method of valuation of shares.
- (Short, 4 marks) What is fair value of a share? How is it calculated?
- (Short, 4 marks) Intrinsic value ₹150 and yield value ₹130 of a share. Calculate its fair value.