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What is a Sum-of-the-Parts Valuation (SOTP)?
Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis (SOTP) estimates the value of each business segment within a company separately, which are then added together to arrive at the company’s implied total enterprise value.
- What are the steps required to perform sum-of-the-parts analysis (SOTP)?
- For which types of companies would sum-of-the parts valuations be the most applicable?
- Why are sum-of-the-part valuations often viewed as more accurate in certain scenarios?
- Besides conglomerates and companies with various divisions, what are some other situations when SOTP analysis could come in useful?
Table of Contents
Sum-of-the-Parts Analysis (SOTP) Definition
The sum-of-the-parts valuation is most appropriate for valuing companies with divisions that are each distinct from one another from a risk/return standpoint, which creates the need to “break up” the company into separate components for the valuation to be more accurate.
For companies suitable for a SOTP valuation, under the discounted cash flow approach (DCF), each of their segments would adhere to a different discount rate, which means the expected returns (and coinciding risks) of each individual segment would differ.
And if attempting to value the company through multiples analysis – i.e., either via comparable company analysis or precedent transactions – it’ll be quite challenging to determine a single appropriate trading or transaction multiple considering just how widespread the implied ranges will be across business segments.
Sum-of-the-Parts (SOTP) Formula
As implied by the name, SOTP entails valuing each underlying piece of a company separately and then adding them together, rather than valuing the entire company in aggregate using traditional means.
The objective of SOTP is to value each part of the company separately and then add all of the calculated values together. Then, upon deducting net debt from the enterprise value, the implied equity value can be derived.
Once the sum of each segment’s firm values has been determined, the remaining step is to subtract net debt and any non-operating assets or liabilities unrelated to shareholders in order to calculate equity value.
Sum-of-the-Parts (SOTP) Steps
- Identify the Appropriate Business Segments
- Perform Standalone Valuations of Each Segment (Comps, DCF)
- Add-Up Calculated Valuations for Total Firm Value
- Subtract Net Debt and Non-Operating Items
Sum-of-the Parts (SOTP) Application
Although the most common reason to use SOTP analysis is for companies with business segments in different industries, another scenario when SOTP can be useful is restructuring.
Oftentimes, one of the first steps taken by a distressed company in immediate need of restructuring is to identify underperforming, non-core business segments – which could then be sold if a suitable buyer is found (i.e. distressed M&A).
Another frequent use-case of SOTP is for spin-offs and related activities. From the SOTP in the stated context, the question attempting to be answered is: “Is the whole greater than the sum of its parts?”
If yes, the subsidiary would be better off remaining part of the parent company. However, if the answer is no, then the subsidiary could actually be in a more favorable position if spun off.
Biotech Sum-of-the Parts Valuation
One industry in which SOTP is relied upon is biotech, particularly for clinical-stage, pre-revenue companies. Here, a greater range of assumptions is required for each therapeutic asset, such as the market size, revenue potential, as well as the “probability of success (POS)” to address the uncertainty surrounding the FDA approval process.
Earlier-stage therapeutic assets, compared to those in the later stages of obtaining regulatory approval (or even commercialization), have a far lower probability of success and are therefore inherently riskier – contingencies that a properly built model must account for.
Biotech Sum-of-the-Parts Valuation (Source: Industry-Specific Modeling)
Limitations of Sum-of-the-Parts Valuation (SOTP)
Even if the basis of SOTP valuations seems fundamentally sound (or even preferable to standalone valuations), the limited amount of publicly available segment-level data can be a major drawback.
Companies, including conglomerates, rarely provide sufficient information in their filings to build a complete model and value for each segment.
The difficulty in compiling the required information can force broader assumptions to be used instead, which can cause these valuations to be less credible.
Furthermore, similar to how synergies are realized post-M&A, the synergies that result across divisions such as the cost savings benefiting each segment cannot be isolated nor easily distributed across business segments.
Berkshire Hathaway – Operating Business Segments
SOTP valuations are often used when the target has several operating divisions in unrelated industries, each with different risk profiles (i.e. a conglomerate like Berkshire Hathaway).
Conglomerate Business Segments Example (Source: Berkshire 2020 Annual Report)
Excel Template Download
Now that we’ve discussed the rationale behind using sum-of-the-parts analysis and the scenarios when SOTP is most applicable, we’re ready to move on to an example Excel modeling exercise.
To access the SOTP spreadsheet, fill out the form below to follow along:
Sum-of-the-Parts (SOTP) Valuation Assumptions
Our SOTP modeling tutorial will start with some background details regarding the hypothetical company.
The company consists of three segments that are each valued at different multiples and operate in different industries.
Here, the comps-derived valuation is estimated using the “Low” and “High” end of the EV/EBITDA multiple ranges pulled from each segment’s peer group.
Segment A Assumptions
- EBITDA: $100m
- Low – EV/EBITDA: 6.0x
- High – EV/EBITDA: 8.0x
Segment B Assumptions
- EBITDA: $20m
- Low – EV/EBITDA: 14.0x
- High – EV/EBITDA: 20.0x
Segment C Assumptions
- EBITDA: $10m
- Low – EV/EBITDA: 18.0x
- High – EV/EBITDA: 24.0x
Clearly, Segment A contributes the most EBITDA to the company, but the total firm valuation multiple appears to be weighed down by its comparatively lower EV/EBITDA multiple.
Sum-of-the-Parts (SOTP) Analysis Example
The next step is to calculate the enterprise value of each segment – both at the lower and upper end of the valuation range.
By multiplying the EV/EBITDA multiple by the corresponding EBITDA metric for each segment, we can determine the segment enterprise values, as shown below.
Upon completing each division’s valuation, the values are added up to arrive at the total enterprise value (TEV).
Then, once the firm values have all been calculated, the final step in our modeling exercise is to subtract net debt, which we assume to be $200m.
On the lower end of the valuation range, the implied equity value of our company is $860m, whereas, on the higher end of the range, the implied equity value is $1.24bn.
