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Intermediate Valuation & DCF Interview Questions for Finance

Case information

Difficulty: Intermediate

Interviewer-led

< 100 Ratings

Times solved: 300+

Mergers & Acquisition Valuation

This intermediate-level question set covers key concepts in valuation, with a particular focus on the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) method. You'll review the main valuation approaches, then work through the full DCF process – from calculating free cash flow to understanding discount rates, terminal value, and capital structure effects.

Plan for about 30–35 minutes to complete the set. Model answers are included to help you check your logic and technical knowledge.

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What are the three main valuation methodologies?

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The three main valuation methodologies are:

Comparable Company Analysis (Comps) – Relative Valuation:
This method compares the company to similar publicly traded companies based on key financial metrics (e.g., P/E ratio, EV/EBITDA). It provides a relative valuation, showing how the market values similar companies.
Precedent Transaction Analysis (M&A Comps) – Relative Valuation:
This method looks at historical transactions of similar companies, using multiples from those deals (e.g., EV/EBITDA, P/E) to value the target company. It is a relative valuation approach often used in M&A scenarios and reflects transaction-based market values.
Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Analysis – Intrinsic Valuation:
This method values a company based on its future cash flows, which are projected and then discounted to present value using the company’s cost of capital (WACC). It is an intrinsic valuation method, focusing on the company's ability to generate future cash flows rather than how it compares to others.

In summary, relative valuation methods (Comps and Precedent Transactions) assess value based on comparisons with other companies or transactions, while intrinsic valuation (DCF) calculates value based on the company’s own future cash flow generation.

Note for Interviewer

Focus on the following top three aspects in the answer:

The candidate should accurately identify the three main methodologies: Comparable Company Analysis (Comps), Precedent Transaction Analysis (M&A Comps), and Discounted Cash Flow (DCF).
The candidate should explain how each method works, focusing on the key aspects like metrics used (e.g., EV/EBITDA, P/E for Comps and Precedent Transactions) and the focus of DCF on future cash flows.
The candidate should demonstrate understanding of the distinction between relative valuation (Comps and Precedent Transactions) and intrinsic valuation (DCF), and explain when each is most appropriate to use.

If you could choose only one valuation method, which one would you choose and why?

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Walk me through a DCF analysis.

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Why is it important to calculate the FCF?

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How do you calculate the FCF of a company?

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Explain how to dicount the FCFs to the present value.

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To discount Free Cash Flows (FCFs) to their present value, the following steps are involved:

1. Determine the Discount Rate (WACC): The discount rate used to bring future cash flows to present value is typically the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). This rate reflects the company's overall cost of capital, accounting for the cost of debt and the cost of equity, weighted according to the company’s capital structure.

Note for Interviewer

The candidate should demonstrate a clear understanding of the WACC Formula and its components. Ask about the definition of different components to check for that.

WACC Formula

WACC
= Cost of Debt * Debt Weight * (1−Tax Rate)
+ Cost of Equity * Equity Weight
+ Cost of Preferred×Preferred Stock Weight

Cost of Debt: The interest rate on the company’s debt.
Cost of Equity: The expected return required by equity investors, calculated as the Risk-Free Rate + Market Risk Premium × Beta.
Debt Weight: The proportion of the company’s capital structure that is debt.
Equity Weight: The proportion of the company’s capital structure that is equity.
Preferred Stock Weight: The proportion of the company’s capital structure that is preferred stock (if applicable).

2. Discount the FCFs: Once the WACC is determined, it is used to discount each projected Free Cash Flow (FCF) to the present value.

FCF Formula

Discounted FCF = FCF / (1+WACC)^n

where n is the year number (e.g., Year 1, Year 2, etc.).

3. Sum the Discounted FCFs: After discounting each year’s FCF, sum them up to get the total present value of the company’s FCFs.

Note for Interviewer

Check for the following key points in the answer of the candidate:

The candidate should show a clear understanding of WACC and its components, specifically how the cost of debt, cost of equity, and capital structure affect the discount rate.
The answer should include an explanation of how WACC is used to discount future cash flows, and an understanding of how discounting works with the formula.
The candidate should be able to explain the importance of WACC in determining the time value of money in the DCF model.

What factors primarily influence the cost of equity in a DCF analysis?

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How does a company’s capital structure impact the cost of equity?

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How do you calculate the Terminal Value (TV)?

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To calculate the Terminal Value (TV) in a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis, there are two common methods: the Multiples Method and the Gordon Growth Method (also called the Perpetual Growth Method).

1. Multiples Method: This method is often used and involves applying an EBITDA multiple (or sometimes other multiples like EV/EBIT or EV/Sales) based on public comps (comparable companies) in the industry. The multiple is typically derived from market transactions and gives a range for the Terminal Value.

2. Gordon Growth Method (Perpetual Growth Method): The Gordon Growth Method assumes that the company will continue to operate indefinitely, growing at a stable rate.

Terminal Value Formula

Terminal Value (TV)
= Final Year FCF
* (1 + Terminal FCF Grwoth Rate)
/ (Discount Rate - Terminal FCF Growth Rate)

The Terminal Growth Rate should be very low, generally equal to or less than the country’s GDP growth rate or the inflation rate, reflecting a conservative long-term growth assumption.

Note for Interviewer

Check for the following in the candidate answer:

Ensure the candidate clearly explains the Multiples Method and Gordon Growth Method for calculating TV. You can also ask when each method is more appropriate (e.g., Multiples for companies with comparable peers, Gordon Growth for stable, long-term businesses).
Look for the candidate to mention that the Terminal Growth Rate should be low (often lower than the country’s GDP growth rate or inflation rate), and ensure they understand why this conservative approach is used to avoid overestimating future growth.

How do you arrive at the final valuation?

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Bonus Question: Which two components in a DCF analysis have the most significant influence on the final valuation?

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