What is MSLH.L's Intrinsic value?

Marshalls PLC (MSLH.L) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of May 22, 2025, Marshalls PLC's estimated intrinsic value ranges from $143.33 to $900.07 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $174.74 -40.1%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $159.76 -45.2%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $143.33 -50.8%
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) $145.91 -49.9%
Earnings Power Value $900.07 +208.8%

Is Marshalls PLC (MSLH.L) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $291.50, the stock appears to be significantly overvalued.

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 Marshalls 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 0.92 1
Cost of equity 9.5% 12.0%
Cost of debt 5.5% 6.1%
Tax rate 21.1% 24.3%
Debt/Equity ratio 0.26 0.26
After-tax WACC 8.4% 10.4%

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: 9.4% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $619 (FY12-2024) to $844 (FY12-2034)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 5% to 5%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 3% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $160 $629M 73.8%
10-Year Growth $175 $666M 54.6%
5-Year EBITDA $170 $655M 74.9%
10-Year EBITDA $174 $663M 54.5%

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: 67.7%
  • Stable payout ratio: 90.0%
  • Growth transition: 5 years
  • Cost of equity: 10.7%
  • Long-term growth rate: 3.0%
  • Fair value: $143.33 (-50.8% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 12.0% (Low) to 9.5% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 2.0% (Low) to 4.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $87 to $204
  • Selected fair value: $145.91 (-49.9% 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 $231M
Discount Rate (WACC) 10.4% - 8.4%
Enterprise Value $2,209M - $2,743M
Net Debt $230M
Equity Value $1,979M - $2,513M
Outstanding Shares 2M
Fair Value $793 - $1,007
Selected Fair Value $900.07

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $727M
Enterprise Value $957M
Trailing P/E 23.46
Forward P/E 22.17
Trailing EV/EBITDA 9.25
Current Dividend Yield 289.72%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) -12.87%
Debt-to-Equity Ratio 0.26

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% $52.42
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 25% $39.94
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 20% $28.67
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) 15% $21.89
Earnings Power Value 10% $90.01
Weighted Average 100% $232.92

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Marshalls PLC's weighted average intrinsic value is $232.92, which is approximately 20.1% below the current market price of $291.50.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (5% to 5% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation
  • Conservative capital structure (Debt/Equity of 0.26)

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