Economic Value Added (EVA) is a method of analysis which is used to accurately measure the current financial performance of a firm. This analysis is based on the premise that all things have a cost in capital (Dierks & Patel, 1997), and that if the given firm within all its divisions and project is earning more than its cost in capital; then that firm is creating true economic value for investors.
How to conduct Economic Value Added Analysis To conduct the analysis and determine a firm’s EVA, let us first consider that the difference between a firm’s current market value and its total assets is referred to as the firm’s Market Value Added (MVA). This is what firm mangers desire to increase. They do so by ensuring …show more content…
These returns must be commensurate to the risks being taking by investors. The firm must meet investor expectations or face a loss of confidence and a drop in value which would serve to diminish subsequent capital budget capacity across the entire firm. This could in turn rob the firm of potential growth and greater revenues in the future; creating a spiraling downward cycle of diminishing returns and market …show more content…
Given that applying the Generally Accepted Accounting Practices (GAAP) can serve to; distort, artificially reduce a firm’s stated capital (Epstein & Young, 1999). Management’s use of EVA, which is not bound by GAAP (Epstein & Young, 1999), results in informed and timely capital budget decision making by managers. Investors have a vote in publicly traded firms, and even if they do not hold majority shares or necessarily sit in on the board meetings, they are free to sell their shares, divesting of the firm and reinvesting elsewhere in short order; should they perceive a lack of growth and return on their investment. Or should they perceive too much unnecessary risk or non-fiduciary activities underway on the part of firm management. Firm managers, therefore, must be ever diligent and vigilant in their capital budget decision making. And the Economic Value Added analysis method serves as a good tool in their decision making arsenal; despite its potential shortcomings which can easily be overcome by using economic book values in conjunction with the Market Value Added