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Learn How to Calculate Cost of Equity Using Build Up Method | Cash Flow Forecasting and Discount Rate Fundamentals
Mastering Discounted Cash Flow Analysis with Excel
course content

Course Content

Mastering Discounted Cash Flow Analysis with Excel

Mastering Discounted Cash Flow Analysis with Excel

1. Introduction to Business Valuation
2. Understanding Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
3. Cash Flow Forecasting and Discount Rate Fundamentals
4. WACC, Terminal Value & Sensitivity Analysis
5. Building a DCF Valuation Model in Excel
6. Practical DCF Case Study – Company Valuation in Action

book
How to Calculate Cost of Equity Using Build Up Method

While CAPM is the go-to model for calculating the cost of equity in public markets, it relies heavily on data like beta and market returnβ€”which aren't always available for private companies.

Enter the Build-Up Method: a practical, additive approach to estimate required return when traditional inputs are missing or unreliable.

The Build-Up Method adds layers of risk premiums to a base rate (usually the risk-free rate or a long-term bond yield) to reflect various types of investment risk.

Typical Formula

CostΒ ofΒ Equity=Rf+EquityΒ RiskΒ Premium+SizeΒ Premium+IndustryΒ RiskΒ Premium+Company-SpecificΒ Premium\text{Cost of Equity} = R_f + \text{Equity Risk Premium} + \text{Size Premium} + \text{Industry Risk Premium} + \text{Company-Specific Premium}

Formula Components
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  • Risk-Free Rate (RfR_f): baseline return for a riskless investment, e.g., a 10-year Treasury bond;
  • Equity Risk Premium: compensation for investing in equities over risk-free assets;
  • Size Premium: additional return demanded by investors for holding smaller companies, which tend to be riskier;
  • Industry Risk Premium: adjusts for volatility and cyclicality in specific sectors;
  • Company-Specific Premium: custom adjustment for non-systematic risks like management quality, client concentration, or governance.
When to Use It
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  • Valuing private businesses with no beta or trading data;
  • When comparables are unreliable or inconsistent;
  • In early-stage startup valuation or low-liquidity contexts.

The Build-Up Method helps bridge the gap where data is scarce. It's not as elegant or theoretically grounded as CAPM, but it's practical, flexible, and widely used in private equity, valuation firms, and financial consulting.

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SectionΒ 3. ChapterΒ 6

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course content

Course Content

Mastering Discounted Cash Flow Analysis with Excel

Mastering Discounted Cash Flow Analysis with Excel

1. Introduction to Business Valuation
2. Understanding Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis
3. Cash Flow Forecasting and Discount Rate Fundamentals
4. WACC, Terminal Value & Sensitivity Analysis
5. Building a DCF Valuation Model in Excel
6. Practical DCF Case Study – Company Valuation in Action

book
How to Calculate Cost of Equity Using Build Up Method

While CAPM is the go-to model for calculating the cost of equity in public markets, it relies heavily on data like beta and market returnβ€”which aren't always available for private companies.

Enter the Build-Up Method: a practical, additive approach to estimate required return when traditional inputs are missing or unreliable.

The Build-Up Method adds layers of risk premiums to a base rate (usually the risk-free rate or a long-term bond yield) to reflect various types of investment risk.

Typical Formula

CostΒ ofΒ Equity=Rf+EquityΒ RiskΒ Premium+SizeΒ Premium+IndustryΒ RiskΒ Premium+Company-SpecificΒ Premium\text{Cost of Equity} = R_f + \text{Equity Risk Premium} + \text{Size Premium} + \text{Industry Risk Premium} + \text{Company-Specific Premium}

Formula Components
expand arrow
  • Risk-Free Rate (RfR_f): baseline return for a riskless investment, e.g., a 10-year Treasury bond;
  • Equity Risk Premium: compensation for investing in equities over risk-free assets;
  • Size Premium: additional return demanded by investors for holding smaller companies, which tend to be riskier;
  • Industry Risk Premium: adjusts for volatility and cyclicality in specific sectors;
  • Company-Specific Premium: custom adjustment for non-systematic risks like management quality, client concentration, or governance.
When to Use It
expand arrow
  • Valuing private businesses with no beta or trading data;
  • When comparables are unreliable or inconsistent;
  • In early-stage startup valuation or low-liquidity contexts.

The Build-Up Method helps bridge the gap where data is scarce. It's not as elegant or theoretically grounded as CAPM, but it's practical, flexible, and widely used in private equity, valuation firms, and financial consulting.

Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

SectionΒ 3. ChapterΒ 6
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