📈 Equity Investments

Gordon Growth Model & Dividend Discount Model (DDM) Formula

Gordon Growth Model formula explained. Dividend discount model for stock valuation — single-stage and multi-stage DDM with worked examples.

Key Concepts

Intrinsic Value

True worth based on fundamentals. Compare to market price: undervalued if V > P.

Dividend Discount Model (DDM)

V = Σ D<sub>t</sub>/(1+r)<sup>t</sup>. Value of stock = PV of all expected future dividends.

Gordon Growth Model

V = D<sub>1</sub>/(r - g). Assumes constant growth forever. Only works if r > g.

Price Multiples

P/E, P/B, P/S, P/CF. Quick relative valuation. Compare to peers and history.

Justified P/E

From Gordon model: Justified P/E = (1-b)/(r-g) where b = retention ratio, g = b × ROE.

Enterprise Value Multiples

EV/EBITDA: useful for comparing firms with different capital structures. EV = Market Cap + Debt - Cash.

Formulas

From this module

Gordon Growth Model

V0 = D1 / (r - g)

Where: D<sub>1</sub> = next year dividend, r = required return, g = constant growth

Multi-Stage DDM

V = Σ Dt/(1+r)t + Vn/(1+r)n

Where: V<sub>n</sub> = terminal value using Gordon model

Sustainable Growth Rate

g = b × ROE

Where: b = retention ratio = 1 - payout ratio

Trailing P/E

P/E = Market Price / EPS (last 12 months)

Where: Based on past earnings

Forward P/E

P/E = Market Price / Expected EPS

Where: Based on forecasted earnings

Enterprise Value

EV = Market Cap + Total Debt - Cash

Where: Value of entire firm (equity + debt)

Master Formula Sheet -- Equity Investments

DDM (Gordon Growth)

V₀ = D₁ / (r - g)

Constant growth dividend model

Required Return (DDM)

r = (D₁/P₀) + g

Dividend yield + growth rate

Price-to-Earnings

P/E = Price / EPS

Leading P/E uses forecasted EPS

Justified P/E (Leading)

P/E = (1-b) / (r-g)

b = retention ratio, g = b × ROE

Sustainable Growth

g = ROE × b

b = retention ratio = 1 - payout

PEG Ratio

PEG = (P/E) / g

P/E relative to growth rate

Price-to-Book

P/B = Price / Book Value per Share

P/B < 1 may signal undervaluation

Enterprise Value

EV = Market Cap + Debt - Cash

Total value of the firm

EV/EBITDA

EV / EBITDA

Cross-capital structure comparison

Decision Frameworks

When to use DDM vs Multiples?

Use when:

  • DDM: mature dividend-paying companies, when dividends are predictable
  • Multiples: quick comparison, when detailed forecasting is impractical
  • EV/EBITDA: comparing firms with different leverage

Avoid when:

  • DDM for non-dividend-paying companies
  • P/E when earnings are negative or highly volatile

Test Your Understanding

D<sub>1</sub> = $3.00, r = 12%, g = 4%. Stock value per Gordon Growth Model:

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