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Learn Cost of Equity Calculation Example | Cash Flow Forecasting and Discount Rate Fundamentals
Mastering Discounted Cash Flow Analysis with Excel

bookCost of Equity Calculation Example

Let's put the CAPM and Build-Up Method side-by-side using a real company—Tesla—to illustrate how different inputs affect your output.

Recap of the CAPM Formula

Cost of Equity=Rf+β×(RmRf)\text{Cost of Equity} = R_f + \beta \times (R_m - R_f)

Where:

  • RfR_f = 4.31% (risk-free rate);
  • β\beta = 2.58 (Tesla's beta);
  • RmR_m = 9% (market return).

With these values:

Cost of Equity=4.31%+2.58×(9%4.31%)16.14%\text{Cost of Equity} = 4.31\% + 2.58 \times (9\% - 4.31\%) \approx 16.14\%

The high beta reflects Tesla's volatility, which significantly amplifies the equity cost—something investors demand as compensation for risk.

Build-Up Method in Parallel

Let's assume for comparison:

  • Risk-free rate: 4.31%;
  • Equity Risk Premium: 5%;
  • Size Premium: 1%;
  • Industry Risk Premium: 2%;
  • Company-Specific Premium: 1.5%.

Cost of Equity=4.31%+5%+1%+2%+1.5%=13.81%\text{Cost of Equity} = 4.31\% + 5\% + 1\% + 2\% + 1.5\% = 13.81\%

Even though both methods are valid, they yield different results. The Build-Up Method often produces more conservative estimates for private firms or startups where beta isn't well-defined.

  • CAPM is dynamic and market-based, suitable for public companies with reliable data;
  • Build-Up is additive and more controllable, ideal for private or high-uncertainty contexts;
  • The cost of equity is not a fixed number—it reflects your assumptions and context.
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Section 3. Chapter 7

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bookCost of Equity Calculation Example

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Let's put the CAPM and Build-Up Method side-by-side using a real company—Tesla—to illustrate how different inputs affect your output.

Recap of the CAPM Formula

Cost of Equity=Rf+β×(RmRf)\text{Cost of Equity} = R_f + \beta \times (R_m - R_f)

Where:

  • RfR_f = 4.31% (risk-free rate);
  • β\beta = 2.58 (Tesla's beta);
  • RmR_m = 9% (market return).

With these values:

Cost of Equity=4.31%+2.58×(9%4.31%)16.14%\text{Cost of Equity} = 4.31\% + 2.58 \times (9\% - 4.31\%) \approx 16.14\%

The high beta reflects Tesla's volatility, which significantly amplifies the equity cost—something investors demand as compensation for risk.

Build-Up Method in Parallel

Let's assume for comparison:

  • Risk-free rate: 4.31%;
  • Equity Risk Premium: 5%;
  • Size Premium: 1%;
  • Industry Risk Premium: 2%;
  • Company-Specific Premium: 1.5%.

Cost of Equity=4.31%+5%+1%+2%+1.5%=13.81%\text{Cost of Equity} = 4.31\% + 5\% + 1\% + 2\% + 1.5\% = 13.81\%

Even though both methods are valid, they yield different results. The Build-Up Method often produces more conservative estimates for private firms or startups where beta isn't well-defined.

  • CAPM is dynamic and market-based, suitable for public companies with reliable data;
  • Build-Up is additive and more controllable, ideal for private or high-uncertainty contexts;
  • The cost of equity is not a fixed number—it reflects your assumptions and context.
Everything was clear?

How can we improve it?

Thanks for your feedback!

Section 3. Chapter 7
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