Terminal Value

Topic

An investment concept referring to the value of a business beyond a specific forecast period. The hosts debate Nvidia's terminal value, questioning if the current AI buildout is a one-time event or a sustainable, recurring revenue stream.


First Mentioned

1/3/2026, 4:45:19 AM

Last Updated

1/3/2026, 4:45:56 AM

Research Retrieved

1/3/2026, 4:45:56 AM

Summary

Terminal value is a multi-faceted concept primarily recognized in finance as the estimated value of an investment or company beyond a specific forecast period, typically accounting for 50% to 75% of a total Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) valuation. In this context, it is calculated using methods like the Gordon Growth Model (Perpetuity Growth) or the Exit Multiple Approach. Beyond finance, the term applies to accounting as the salvage value of an asset, to philosophy as core moral beliefs, and to computer science as non-reducible grammar symbols or line-ending characters. Recently, the concept gained public attention in the tech industry when David Sacks, on the All-In Podcast, questioned the long-term terminal value of Nvidia, drawing a historical parallel to Cisco's peak during the dot-com bubble to highlight the risks of valuing companies based on temporary infrastructure buildouts.

Referenced in 1 Document
Research Data
Extracted Attributes
  • Valuation Weight

    Typically comprises 50% to 75% of the total implied valuation in a DCF model.

  • Finance Definition

    The present value of all future cash flows beyond a specific forecast period (usually 5-10 years).

  • Calculation Methods

    Growth in Perpetuity Approach, Exit Multiple Approach, and Liquidation Value Model.

  • Accounting Definition

    The salvage or residual value of an asset at the end of its useful life.

  • Philosophy Definition

    Core moral beliefs or ultimate goals (terminal values).

  • Computer Science Definition

    A grammar symbol in Backus-Naur form that never appears on the left-hand side of a grammar list.

Timeline
  • David Sacks questions Nvidia's long-term terminal value on Episode 167 of the All-In Podcast, comparing its trajectory to Cisco's during the dot-com era. (Source: Document 8c2a6394-2e1a-4643-b0e1-4672f1df9a79)

    2024-02-23

Terminal value

Terminal value can mean several things: Terminal value (accounting), the salvage or residual value of an asset Terminal value (finance), the future discounted value of all future cash flows beyond a given date Terminal value (philosophy), core moral beliefs Terminal value in Backus-Naur form, a grammar definition denoting a symbol that never appears on the left-hand side of the grammar list In computer science generally, character(s) that signify the end of a line

Web Search Results
  • Terminal Value (DCF) | Formula + Calculator

    Terminal value is a key element in discounted cash flow (DCF) valuations, often comprising a significant portion of a company’s estimated worth. However, accurately calculating terminal value requires making substantial assumptions, which can lead to potential inaccuracies. Artificial intelligence enhances this process by analyzing extensive historical and market data, testing assumptions, and delivering more refined predictions. Integrating AI into terminal value calculations ensures more [...] The terminal value (TV) represents the estimated value of a company beyond the explicit forecast period in a discounted cash flow (DCF) model. The terminal value constitutes about 75% of the total implied valuation, thereby accurately estimating future free cash flows (FCFs) beyond the forecast horizon is critical. In practice, the terminal value is estimated using two primary methods: 1) the Growth in Perpetuity Approach and 2) the Exit Multiple Approach. [...] ## How to Calculate Terminal Value (TV) The terminal value (TV) is the estimated value of a company beyond the initial forecast period in a DCF model. The premise of the DCF approach states that an asset (i.e., the company) is worth the sum of all of its future free cash flows (FCFs), which must discounted to the present day.

  • Terminal Value (TV) Definition and Formula - Investopedia

    Terminal value is the estimated value of an asset at the end of its useful life. It's used for computing depreciation and is also a crucial part of DCF analysis because it accounts for a significant portion of the total value of a business. Terminal value can be calculated using the perpetual growth method or the exit multiple method. It's a crucial part of DCF analysis because it accounts for a significant portion of the total value of a business. [...] Terminal value can be determined using several formulas. Most terminal value formulas project future cash flows to return the present value of a future asset like discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. The liquidation value model or exit method requires figuring out the asset's earning power with an appropriate discount rate and then adjusting for the estimated value of outstanding debt. [...] ## What Is Terminal Value (TV)? Terminal value (TV) is the value of a company beyond the period for which future cash flows can be estimated. Terminal value assumes that the business will grow at a set rate forever after the forecast period, which is typically five years or less. Terminal value often makes up a large percentage of the total assessed value of a business. Terminal value also can be used to value an asset or a project. ### Key Takeaways

  • Terminal value (finance) - Wikipedia

    To determine the present value of the terminal value, one must discount its value at T0 by a factor equal to the number of years included in the initial projection period. If N is the 5th and final year in this period, then the Terminal Value is divided by (1 + k)5 (or WACC). The Present Value of the Terminal Value is then added to the PV of the free cash flows in the projection period to arrive at an implied enterprise value. [...] provides a future value at the end of Year N. The terminal value is then discounted using a factor equal to the number of years in the projection period. If N is the 5th and final year in this period, then the Terminal Value is divided by (1+k)5. The Present Value of the Terminal Value is then added to the PV of the free cash flows in the projection period to arrive at an implied Enterprise Value. Note that if publicly traded comparable company multiples must be used, the resulting implied [...] Thus, the terminal value allows for the inclusion of the value of future cash flows occurring beyond a several-year projection period while satisfactorily mitigating many of the problems of valuing such cash flows. The terminal value is calculated in accordance with a stream of projected future free cash flows in discounted cash flow analysis. For whole-company valuation "Valuation (finance)") purposes, there are two methodologies used to calculate the Terminal Value.

  • Terminal Value: DCF & Valuation Methods

    Terminal value represents the estimated worth of a business beyond the explicit forecast period in a discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. Since projecting financials indefinitely is impractical, terminal value provides a way to capture a company’s long-term value using either the terminal multiple method or the perpetuity growth method. It typically accounts for a significant portion of a company’s total valuation, making it crucial to validate assumptions carefully. By ensuring that the [...] The terminal value (TV) captures the value of a business beyond the projection period in a DCF analysis, and is the present value of all subsequent cash flows. Depending on the circumstance, the terminal value can constitute approximately 75% of the value in a 5-year DCF and 50% of the value in a 10-year DCF. As a result, great attention must be paid to terminal value assumptions. The terminal value may be calculated using two different methods. ## Webinar: The AI Edge in Investment Banking [...] Terminal value is calculated to capture the value of a business beyond the explicit forecast period. There are two primary methods to calculate terminal value: 1. The Terminal Multiple Method: This approach uses an appropriate multiple (e.g., EV/EBITDA) to estimate the terminal value based on market valuations at the end of the projection period. The formula is: TV = LTM Terminal Multiple × Statistic for the Last 12 Months

  • Terminal Value | Research Starters - EBSCO

    Terminal Value: In finance, the terminal value of a security is the present value at a future point in time of all future cash flows when we expect stable growth rate forever. It is most often used in multi-stage discounted cash flow analysis, and allows for the limitation of cash flow projections to a several-year period. [...] Terminal value is one component of determining the overall value of a given enterprise. Terminal value can be estimated in three ways: Liquidation values, exit multiples approach or stable growth model. Terminal value is calculated to project the value of an entity (security or firm) at a future date in time-taking into consideration future cash flow at a discounted rate for a several year period. The discounted cash flow (DCF) method is examined in detail in this essay as one of the most [...] Terminal value is a key concept in finance that represents the estimated value of a company or asset at a future point in time, particularly when it is expected to achieve a stable growth rate indefinitely. It is commonly calculated using three methods: the liquidation value approach, the exit multiples approach, and the stable growth model, with the discounted cash flow (DCF) method being the most widely used. The DCF method projects future cash flows and applies a discount rate to calculate

Location Data

Value Mobile, Shoppers World Terminal, Brampton, Peel Region, Golden Horseshoe, Ontario, L6Y 1N0, Canada

mobile phone

Coordinates: 43.6653008, -79.7371185

Open Map