What is HSW.L's Intrinsic value?

Hostelworld Group PLC (HSW.L) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of May 31, 2025, Hostelworld Group PLC's estimated intrinsic value ranges from $78.70 to $159.80 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $153.68 +27.5%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $111.72 -7.3%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $115.44 -4.2%
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) $78.70 -34.7%
Earnings Power Value $159.80 +32.6%

Is Hostelworld Group PLC (HSW.L) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $120.50, 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 Hostelworld Group PLC'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 4.0% 4.5%
Equity market risk premium 6.0% 7.0%
Adjusted beta 0.63 0.73
Cost of equity 7.7% 10.1%
Cost of debt 4.6% 5.0%
Tax rate 3.5% 15.5%
Debt/Equity ratio 0 0
After-tax WACC 7.7% 10.1%

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: 8.9% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $92 (FY12-2024) to $204 (FY12-2034)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 8% to 12%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 14% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $133 $164M 80.4%
10-Year Growth $183 $229M 64.8%
5-Year EBITDA $184 $231M 86.1%
10-Year EBITDA $221 $279M 71.0%

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: 8.9%
  • Long-term growth rate: 3.0%
  • Fair value: $115.44 (-4.2% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 10.1% (Low) to 7.7% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 2.0% (Low) to 4.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $50 to $138
  • Selected fair value: $78.70 (-34.7% 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 $21M
Discount Rate (WACC) 10.1% - 7.7%
Enterprise Value $207M - $270M
Net Debt $(8)M
Equity Value $215M - $278M
Outstanding Shares 1M
Fair Value $166 - $215
Selected Fair Value $159.80

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $156M
Enterprise Value $149M
Trailing P/E 25.10
Forward P/E 15.31
Trailing EV/EBITDA 9.80
Current Dividend Yield 0.00%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) -100.00%
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 0.00

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) 30% $46.10
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 25% $27.93
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 20% $23.09
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) 15% $11.81
Earnings Power Value 10% $15.98
Weighted Average 100% $124.91

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Hostelworld Group PLC's weighted average intrinsic value is $124.91, which is approximately 3.7% above the current market price of $120.50.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (8% to 12% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation
  • Conservative capital structure (Debt/Equity of 0.00)

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