Module II· DCF — Terminal ValueIntermediate
Question
How do you calculate the 'implied exit multiple' from a Gordon Growth terminal value?
Answer
Mechanics
the implied exit multiple is the EBITDA multiple that a Gordon Growth terminal value implicitly assumes:
```
Implied Exit Multiple = Gordon TV / Terminal Year EBITDA
```
Deep diveShow more details
Example
Inputs:
- Gordon TV: $940m
- Terminal Year EBITDA: $100m
Calculation:
```
Implied Exit Multiple = $940 / $100 = 9.4x
```
Cross-check against trading comps
- Implied 12x against a comps mean of 7x: Gordon is aggressive — g too high or WACC too low.
- Implied 5x against a comps mean of 7x: Gordon is conservative. A possible value-creation reason, or the terminal capex normalization is too high.
Pitch tip
the implied multiple is the most important sanity-check number in a DCF pitch — alongside the TV share of EV.