tl;dr
The process of determining the current worth of an asset, liability, or entire business.
Valuation involves various methods and considerations depending on the purpose, context, and type of item being valued.
Consider an investment bank valuing a private company for potential sale, using multiple approaches: discounted cash flow analysis suggesting $50 million value, market comparables indicating $45 million, and asset-based valuation showing $40 million. These different perspectives help establish a reasonable value range.
Conducting valuations requires understanding various methodologies and market factors. Organizations must choose appropriate methods while considering specific circumstances.
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