Market Cap + Total Debt + Preferred Equity + Minority Interest − Cash & Equivalents
Enterprise value is the cost to buy the whole business — market cap plus net debt.
What it is
Enterprise value estimates the full takeover cost of a company, not just its stock. It starts with market capitalization, adds total debt (and items like preferred stock and minority interest), then subtracts cash and cash equivalents. The logic: an acquirer assumes the debt but gets to use the cash on hand.
Why it matters
EV lets you compare companies on equal footing regardless of how they are financed, which is why valuation multiples like EV/EBITDA and EV/Sales use it instead of market cap. The common pitfall is comparing P/E ratios across firms with very different debt loads — EV-based multiples correct for that.
How it's calculated
Add market capitalization and total debt (plus preferred equity and non-controlling interest), then subtract cash and short-term investments.
How Quintarthai uses it
Enterprise value and EV-based multiples (EV/EBITDA, EV/Sales) are shown under the enterprise-value group on the Ratios tab of a stock's deep-analysis page.
Cross-border note. Debt and cash come from the balance sheet, which Canadian issuers report under IFRS and US issuers under US GAAP — minor classification differences (e.g. lease liabilities) can shift the debt figure used in EV.
FAQ
Why subtract cash in enterprise value?
Because a buyer could use the acquired company's cash to help pay for the purchase, lowering the true net cost of ownership.
Can enterprise value be lower than market cap?
Yes — if a company holds more cash than debt, its net debt is negative and EV falls below its market cap.
Check your understanding
Why does the enterprise value formula subtract a company's cash and cash equivalents?
A buyer takes on the target's debt but also gains its cash, which can offset the purchase price, so cash is subtracted to reflect the true net cost of owning the business.