Valuation Glossary

Levered beta, or equity beta, is a measure of how a company's stock price moves in relation to the overall market. It considers the impact of the company's debt on its stock's volatility. A levered beta greater than 1 means the stock is more volatile than the market, while a levered beta less than 1 means it's less volatile. Levered beta helps investors understand the risk and potential return of a stock. It considers the company's debt levels and interest payments when evaluating how the stock reacts to market changes.

Leveraged recapitalization is a financial strategy in which a company takes on significant new debt to pay a large dividend or buy back shares. The primary goals of leveraged recapitalization are to return cash to shareholders, restructure the company’s balance sheet, and potentially ward off hostile takeovers.

A leveraged buyout (LBO) is a financial transaction in which a company is purchased using a significant amount of borrowed money, typically through loans or bonds. LBOs are commonly used by private equity firms to acquire companies, aiming to improve their profitability and then sell them for a profit.

A key person discount is a reduction in the value of a business or investment when an important person associated with it is no longer involved. This discount recognizes the potential negative effects on the business without that key person. It accounts for risks like loss of expertise, relationships, and leadership, which can impact the business's performance and reputation. The discount reflects the lowered value due to the uncertainty and challenges caused by the absence of the key person.

Junk bonds, also known as high-yield bonds, are corporate bonds that carry a higher risk of default compared to investment-grade bonds. Because of this higher risk, they offer higher interest rates to attract investors.