Question Tag: Business valuations

Blanco Ltd is listed on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) and is also included in the Ghana club 500 companies. In its recently published accounts, the directors indicated that as part of their growth strategy, the company is negotiating to take over the business of Zinko Enterprise (Zinko), a start-up business in the industry.

Blanco Ltd has in issue 2,480,000 ordinary shares with each share earning approximately GH¢0.79 to give a Price-Earnings ratio of 8. Shareholders expected rate of return is 18%.

The books of Zinko also show that the company has in issue 1,456,000 ordinary shares. The Company’s earnings have increased significantly in the last 4 years from GH¢300,000 to GH¢455,000. The dividend pay-out ratio has been consistent at 45% as a strategy to pay enough funds to shareholders and generate internal resources for future expansion projects. Shareholders expected rate of return is 20%.

Blanco Ltd has estimated that upon completion of the acquisition, the Zinko line of business would generate annual cashflow of GH¢682,500 in the first year, and after that grow at an annual rate of 5% into perpetuity. The investment required for the acquisition will be GH¢1,230,000. However, the funds for this investment would be raised at a cost of capital of 20%.

Required:
a) Use the following valuation methods to estimate the possible prices that Blanco Ltd can offer for the acquisition of Zinko:
i) Price-Earnings ratio
ii) Dividend growth model
iii) Discounted Cashflow (12 marks)

b) Discuss TWO (2) key issues that Zinko management may have with each of the valuation methods used above. (6 marks)

c) Discuss FOUR (4) possible benefits that will accrue to Blanco Ltd if it acquires Zinko. (2 marks)