Reference no: EM13847841

Estimating Hugo Boss's Equity Value

Hugo Boss AG is a German designer, manufacturer and distributor of men's and women's clothing, operating in the higher end of the clothing retail industry. During the period 2001-2008, the company consistently earned returns on equity in excess of 18 percent, grew its book value of equity (before special dividends) by 5.5 percent per year, on average, and paid out 65-70 percent of its net profit as dividends. In 2008, the company paid out a special dividend of €345.1 million. Consequently, the company's book value of equity decreased from €546.8 million in 2007 to €199.0 million in 2008.

On April 1, 2009, one month before the publication of the first-quarter results, when Hugo Boss's 70.4 million common shares trade at about €11 per share, an analyst produces the following forecasts for Hugo Boss.

Income statement (€ millions)		2009E	2010E	2011E
Sales		1548.1	1493.9	1561.2
Gross profit		897.9	875.1	923.7
EBIT		179.6	176.9	196.2
Net interest expense		-45	-40	-35
EBT		134.6	136.9	161.2
Tax expense		-36.3	-37	-43.5
Net profit		98.3	99.9	117.7
Balance sheet (€ millions)	2008R	2009E	2010E	2011E
Total non-current assets	459.2	480.8	499.1	512
Inventories	381.4	325.1	304.3	305.3
Trade receivables	201	175.4	160.8	156.1
Cash & cash equivalents	24.6	33.5	32.5	47.2
Other current assets	95.4	136.5	172.5	203.2
Total current assets	702.4	670.5	670.1	711.8
Shareholders' equity	199	200.2	221.6	259
Non-current provisions	27.9	25.6	24.7	25.8
Non-current debt	588.5	576.7	565.2	553.9
Other non-current liabilities (non-interest bearing)	26.7	24.5	23.6	24.8
Deferred tax liabilities	17.9	18.3	18.7	19
Total non-current liabilities	661	645.1	632.2	623.5
Current provisions	59.3	59.3	59.3	59.3
Current debt	40.2	40.2	40.2	40.2
Other current liabilities	202.1	206.5	215.9	241.8
Total current liabilities	301.6	306	315.4	341.3
TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES	1161.6	1151.3	1169.2	1223.8

Assume that Hugo Boss's cost of equity equals 12 percent. Consider the following issues in your assignment:

1. Calculate free cash flows to equity, abnormal earnings, and abnormal earnings growth for the years 2009-2011.

2. Assume that in 2012 Hugo Boss AG liquidates all its assets at their book values, uses the proceeds to pay off debt and pays out the remainder to its equity holders. What does this assumption imply about the company's:

a. Free cash flow to equity holders in 2012 and beyond?

b. Abnormal earnings in 2012 and beyond?

c. Abnormal earnings growth in 2012 and beyond?

3. Estimate the value of Hugo Boss's equity on April 1, 2009, using the above forecasts and assumptions. Check that the discounted cash flow model, the abnormal earnings model, and the abnormal earnings growth model yield the same outcome.

4. The analyst estimates a target price of €20 per share. What is the expected value of Hugo Boss's equity at the end of 2011 that is implicit in the analysts' forecasts and target price?

5. Under the assumption that the historical trends in the company's ROE (i.e., approximately 18 percent), payout ratio (70 percent) and book value growth (5.5 percent) continue in the future, what would be your estimate of Hugo Boss's equity value-to-book ratio before the company paid out its special dividend? How does the special dividend payment change your estimate of the equity value-to-book ratio?

6. The analyst following Hugo Boss estimates a target price of €20 per share. Under the assumption that the company's profit margins, asset turnover, and capital structure remain constant after 2011, what is the terminal growth rate that is implicit in the analysts' forecasts and target price?

7. Using the analyst's forecasts, estimate Hugo Boss's equity value under the following three scenarios:

a. Hugo Boss enters into a competitive equilibrium in 2012.

b. After 2011, Hugo Boss's competitive advantage can only be maintained on the nominal sales level achieved in 2011.

c. After 2011, Hugo Boss's competitive advantage can be maintained on a sales base that remains constant in real terms.

8. Using the analyst's forecasts, estimate Hugo Boss's equity value under the assumption that the company's profitability gradually reverts to its required level (i.e., AEt = 0.75 × AEt-1) after the terminal year.