As part of our process, we employ a discounted cash-flow model to arrive at a fair value estimate for every company within our equity coverage universe. In Abbott’s (ABT) case, we think the shares look undervalued at today’s prices. Our fair value estimate for Abbott is $63 per share, over 25% higher than where it is currently trading. In the spirit of transparency, our DCF model valuation template can be found here. We make this template available to investors, and it can be re-used to value any other operating firm.
Valuation Summary
We assume annual average top-line growth will average in the mid-single-digits over the next five years. We also assume that Abbott will grow earnings at a mid-teens pace during our discrete five-year horizon. We expect the firm’s excess returns on invested capital will fade to our estimate of its cost of capital (about 9%) by Year 20 in our model.
Source: Valuentum Securities, Inc.
Our estimated fair value range between $50 per share and $76 per share considers the risks inherent to Abbott’s business, as well as the future potential variability in the company’s free cash flow stream. We’d consider adding Abbott to our Best Ideas portfolio, if it became relatively more attractive than our existing long ideas.