What is ASH's Intrinsic value?

Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (ASH) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of May 24, 2025, Ashland Global Holdings Inc.'s estimated intrinsic value ranges from $38.50 to $75.46 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $58.24 +18.1%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $40.94 -17.0%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $38.50 -21.9%
Earnings Power Value $75.46 +53.1%

Is Ashland Global Holdings Inc. (ASH) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $49.30, the stock appears to be fairly valued.

Understanding Intrinsic Value

Intrinsic value represents the "true" worth of a company based on its fundamentals rather than market sentiment. We've employed multiple methodologies to triangulate Ashland Global Holdings Inc.'s intrinsic value, including:

  1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF): Values the company based on projected future cash flows
  2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM): Values the company based on expected future dividend payments
  3. Earnings Power Value (EPV): Values the company based on its current earnings power, assuming no growth

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC)

The cost of capital is a critical factor in valuation models, representing the required return for investors.

WACC Component Low High
Long-term bond rate 3.9% 4.4%
Equity market risk premium 4.6% 5.6%
Adjusted beta 1.25 1.45
Cost of equity 9.6% 13.0%
Cost of debt 4.0% 5.6%
Tax rate 9.3% 18.5%
Debt/Equity ratio 0.54 0.54
After-tax WACC 7.5% 10.0%

Valuation Methods

1. Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) Valuation

Our DCF model projects cash flows over 5-year and 10-year horizons, with the following key assumptions:

  • Forecast Period: 5-year DCF and 10-year DCF
  • Terminal Growth Rate: 0.0% (range: 3.0% - 5.0%)
  • Discount Rate: 8.8% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $2,113 (FY09-2024) to $2,325 (FY09-2034)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 9% to 15%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 6% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $41 $3,150M 84.0%
10-Year Growth $58 $3,966M 69.1%
5-Year EBITDA $27 $2,472M 79.6%
10-Year EBITDA $40 $3,094M 60.4%

2. Dividend Discount Model (DDM)

The DDM values a company based on its expected future dividend payments. We used two approaches:

Multi-Stage DDM:

  • Current payout ratio: 0.0%
  • Stable payout ratio: 90.0%
  • Growth transition: 5 years
  • Cost of equity: 11.3%
  • Long-term growth rate: 4.0%
  • Fair value: $38.50 (-21.9% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 13.0% (Low) to 9.6% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 3.0% (Low) to 5.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $(17) to $(46)
  • Selected fair value: $-31.57 (-164.0% from current price)

3. Earnings Power Value (EPV)

EPV assesses a company's value based on its current normalized earnings power, assuming no growth.

EPV Component Value
Normalized Earnings $410M
Discount Rate (WACC) 10.0% - 7.5%
Enterprise Value $4,090M - $5,466M
Net Debt $1,218M
Equity Value $2,872M - $4,248M
Outstanding Shares 47M
Fair Value $61 - $90
Selected Fair Value $75.46

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $2326M
Enterprise Value $3544M
Trailing P/E 0.00
Forward P/E 61.95
Trailing EV/EBITDA 8.80
Current Dividend Yield 4.02%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) 4.26%
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 0.54

Investment Decision Framework

To determine the most reliable intrinsic value estimate, we weigh each valuation method based on:

  1. Forecast Certainty: DCF methods rely on long-term projections, while earnings power value focuses on current normalized earnings
  2. Business Model Alignment: Dividend models are more appropriate for mature companies with established dividend policies
  3. Historical Accuracy: How well each method has predicted fair value historically

Valuation Weight Matrix

Valuation Method Weight Weighted Value
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) 35% $17.47
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 29% $10.24
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 24% $7.70
Earnings Power Value 12% $7.55
Weighted Average 100% $50.53

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Ashland Global Holdings Inc.'s weighted average intrinsic value is $50.53, which is approximately 2.5% above the current market price of $49.30.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (9% to 15% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation
  • Historical dividend growth of 4.26%

Given these factors, we believe Ashland Global Holdings Inc. is currently fairly valued with the potential for long-term appreciation based on the company's growth trajectory and financial strength.