What is SCT.L's Intrinsic value?

Softcat PLC (SCT.L) Intrinsic Value Analysis

Executive Summary

As of June 10, 2025, Softcat PLC's estimated intrinsic value ranges from $715.56 to $1338.26 per share, depending on the valuation methodology applied.

Valuation Method Fair Value (USD) Implied Upside/Downside
Discounted Cash Flow (10Y) $1338.26 -26.5%
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) $1232.38 -32.3%
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) $1207.34 -33.7%
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) $941.30 -48.3%
Earnings Power Value $715.56 -60.7%

Is Softcat PLC (SCT.L) undervalued or overvalued?

With the current market price at $1820.00, 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 Softcat 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 0.72 0.74
Cost of equity 8.3% 10.2%
Cost of debt 4.0% 4.6%
Tax rate 19.2% 19.9%
Debt/Equity ratio 0 0
After-tax WACC 8.3% 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: 9.2% (range: 0.0% - 9.3%)

Key Projections:

  • Revenue growth from $963 (FY07-2024) to $1,899 (FY07-2034)
  • Net profit margin expansion from 12% to 13%
  • Capital expenditures maintained at approximately 1% of revenue
DCF Model Fair Value Enterprise Value % from Terminal Value
5-Year Growth $1,232 $2,316M 76.6%
10-Year Growth $1,338 $2,525M 57.6%
5-Year EBITDA $1,039 $1,934M 72.0%
10-Year EBITDA $1,172 $2,196M 51.2%

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: 75.7%
  • Stable payout ratio: 90.0%
  • Growth transition: 5 years
  • Cost of equity: 9.2%
  • Long-term growth rate: 3.0%
  • Fair value: $1207.34 (-33.7% from current price)

Stable DDM:

  • Stable payout ratio: 70% (Low) to 90% (High)
  • Cost of equity: 10.2% (Low) to 8.3% (High)
  • Long-term growth rate: 2.0% (Low) to 4.0% (High)
  • Fair value range: $546 to $1,336
  • Selected fair value: $941.30 (-48.3% 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 $118M
Discount Rate (WACC) 10.1% - 8.3%
Enterprise Value $1,166M - $1,429M
Net Debt $(113)M
Equity Value $1,279M - $1,541M
Outstanding Shares 2M
Fair Value $649 - $782
Selected Fair Value $715.56

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Value
Market Capitalization $3587M
Enterprise Value $3474M
Trailing P/E 28.61
Forward P/E 24.35
Trailing EV/EBITDA 8.85
Current Dividend Yield 264.55%
Dividend Growth Rate (5Y) 9.79%
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% $401.48
Discounted Cash Flow (5Y) 25% $308.09
Dividend Discount Model (Multi-Stage) 20% $241.47
Dividend Discount Model (Stable) 15% $141.19
Earnings Power Value 10% $71.56
Weighted Average 100% $1163.79

Investment Conclusion

Based on our comprehensive valuation analysis, Softcat PLC's weighted average intrinsic value is $1163.79, which is approximately 36.1% below the current market price of $1820.00.

Key investment considerations:

  • Strong projected earnings growth (12% to 13% margin)
  • Consistent cash flow generation
  • Conservative capital structure (Debt/Equity of 0.00)
  • Historical dividend growth of 9.79%

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