Which is a common valuation technique used in private equity?

A common valuation technique used in private equity is asset-based valuation. This approach focuses on the net asset value of a company, considering both its tangible and intangible assets. In private equity, where companies may not have publicly traded stock prices, asset-based valuation provides a clear method to assess what a business is worth by evaluating the value of its underlying assets. This is particularly useful for firms that have substantial physical assets or real estate components and helps investors gauge the potential liquidation value of the investment.

In the context of private equity, this valuation method is advantageous because it can offer insights into the minimum value of a company, laying a foundation for understanding its overall worth during investment decisions or exit strategies. Investors can use this approach to identify undervalued companies or support their negotiations during acquisitions.

The other options, while relevant in certain contexts, are not standard practices for valuing private equity investments. Interest rate analysis typically pertains more to fixed-income securities, cash flow averaging does not provide a coherent framework for valuing private companies specifically in private equity, and discounted dividends measurement is more pertinent to publicly traded companies and growth firms that actively pay dividends.