Gavrielidis v. 80 Seaview Ave., LLC
In this dispute among siblings owning restaurants in Connecticut, the court determined that there was no oppression against one of the siblings whose employment was terminated and there were no wrongful acts. The court determined the fair market value of the plaintiff’s membership interests but denied discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability.
In a Siblings Ownership Dispute, Court Decides No Oppression and No Sums Owed by the Plaintiff, Determines the Value of the Plaintiff’s 25% Interest
In this dispute among siblings owning restaurants in Connecticut, the court determined that there was no oppression against one of the siblings whose employment was terminated and there were no wrongful acts. The court determined the fair market value of the plaintiff’s membership interests but denied discounts for lack of control and lack of marketability.
Henley Mining v. Parton
In statutory appraisal case, court denies summary judgment motion arguing opposing expert’s valuation fails to meet legal definition of fair value, i.e., “the value of the company as a whole and as a going concern”; court says controlling case law does not preclude use of net asset value method.
Fair Value Standard Does Not Preclude Use of Net Asset Approach, Court Affirms
In statutory appraisal case, court denies summary judgment motion arguing opposing expert’s valuation fails to meet legal definition of fair value, i.e., “the value of the company as a whole and as a going concern”; court says controlling case law does not preclude use of net asset value method.
BVResearch Pro Tackles Tricky Search for Guidance on a 50% Interest
During a webinar, an appraiser challenges BVR’s BVResearchPro platform to find court cases, articles, or any other material that discusses a marketability discount for a 50% ownership interest in a private company.
BVU News and Trends July 2020
A monthly roundup of key developments of interest to business valuation experts.
Raley v. Brinkman
In LLC member buyout dispute, the Court of Appeals finds the term “fair value” does not contemplate the use of shareholder-level discounts. However, tax affecting is relevant evidence when determining the going-concern value of subject S corp. Trial court must consider evidence on tax affecting.
Tennessee Appeals Court Clarifies Use of Discounts and Tax Affecting in Court-Ordered LLC Buyout
In LLC member buyout dispute, the Court of Appeals finds the term “fair value” does not contemplate the use of shareholder-level discounts. However, tax affecting is relevant evidence when determining the going-concern value of subject S corp. Trial court must consider evidence on tax affecting.
Fair Value Measurements Amid the Covid-19 Crisis
Reporting entities in recent years generally benefited from a growing economy, which may have allowed auditors to gain comfort with fair value measurements for financial reporting purposes with relatively less documentation. The disruption to global economic activity and financial markets suggest that a business as usual approach may no longer apply to these same fair value measurements. Consequently, reporting entities can expect fair value measurements to receive greater scrutiny from their auditors and a heighted ...
BVLaw Case Update
Join Jim Alerding, a veteran valuator, and Sylvia Golden, BVR’s legal editor, for a discussion of some of the most consequential recent valuation decisions. This selection of state and federal cases includes two key state court rulings on the use of discounts in valuing minority interests in buyback situations, a state court decision on the admissibility of calculations of value in divorce proceedings, an expansive statutory appraisal ruling involving a public company from a North ...
New version of ‘Stout Restricted Stock Study Companion Guide’ now available
The most widely used restricted stock transaction database for providing empirical support for a discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) is the Stout Restricted Stock Study (formerly FMV Opinions).
‘Particular facts’ justify discounts in mandatory buyback of minority interest, says Missouri high court
Context is “crucial,” the Supreme Court of Missouri recently said in upholding the use of discounts in the court-ordered buyout of a minority owner’s shares in a family business.
How much less is a minority share worth now?
HMRC changes have increased the difficulty of providing support for rates of return for illiquid and difficult-to-market minority shares.
Valuation of Small Promissory Notes
Privately held promissory notes (typically $0 to $10 million) need to be valued for gift/estate, tax, and related party transactions. However, bonds from publicly traded companies are not comparable because publicly traded companies are large, diversified, and represent much less risk. Note buyers typically discount the outstanding balance of privately held notes to yield a return of 12% to 20% depending on the collateral and other risk factors. Since corporate bonds yield around 4% to ...
Bates v. Bates
In appreciation case, appeals court says it was error to value owner’s separate, minority interest in car dealership based on buy-sell agreement; however, alternate valuation by nonowner spouse’s expert offered based on standard methods, including use of discounts, provided “appropriate valuation.”
Buy-Sell Stock Agreement Does Not Determine Value of Owner Spouse’s Separate Property
In appreciation case, appeals court says it was error to value owner’s separate, minority interest in car dealership based on buy-sell agreement; however, alternate valuation by nonowner spouse’s expert offered based on standard methods, including use of discounts, provided “appropriate valuation.”
Valuing Residential and Commercial Construction Companies
Cash flow seasonality, bid requirements, license particulars, economic forces, and ubiquitous litigation are all hallmarks of the residential and commercial construction industries and all unique factors when appraising a construction company. Join What it’s Worth guide author and expert Pasquale Rafanelli for a full inspection of residential and commercial construction company valuation issues from accounting methods to value drivers. Avoid the common valuation mistakes that appraisers make and learn to answer the one question on ...
Flynn v. Maschmeyer
In buyout following member’s disassociation from company, appellate court affirms trial court’s fair value determination, including decision to exclude from valuation remaining members’ unsubstantiated debt claims and including litigation amount assessed against dissociated member for misconduct.
Court Rejects FMV Appraisal of Dissociated Member’s Interest in Statutory Buyout
In buyout following member’s disassociation from company, appellate court affirms trial court’s fair value determination, including decision to exclude from valuation remaining members’ unsubstantiated debt claims and including litigation amount assessed against dissociated member for misconduct.
2020 Johnson/Park DLOM study is now available
The Johnson/Park empirical method to estimate a discount for lack of marketability (DLOM) is the third most popular method business appraisers use for this purpose, according to a BVR survey.
Indiana and South Carolina courts issue key discount rulings
The Indiana Court of Appeals and the South Carolina Supreme Court recently issued noteworthy rulings on the appropriateness of discounts in valuing minority interests. The contexts in which the issue arose were different, but both situations amounted to a compelled buyback of shares.
Nelson v. Commissioner
In gift tax case, Tax Court finds donor transferred percentages in limited liability company rather than fixed dollar amounts based on language in transfer instruments; further, where transferred minority interests include elements of control, minority discount should be reduced, not eliminated.
Court Says Reduced Minority Discount Appropriate Where Minority Interest Has Elements of Control
In gift tax case, Tax Court finds donor transferred percentages in limited liability company rather than fixed dollar amounts based on language in transfer instruments; further, where transferred minority interests include elements of control, minority discount should be reduced, not eliminated.
Mercer using a 1% COVID-19 risk premium—for now
Veteran business valuer Chris Mercer (Mercer Capital) was a keynote speaker at the New York State Society of CPAs Business Valuation/Litigation Services Conference, which was held online on May 18.
South Carolina Supreme Court weighs in on use of discounts in divorce valuations
In a crucial decision on the use of discounts when valuing a spouse’s minority interest in a closely held business, a majority of the South Carolina Supreme Court rejected a bright-line rule, noting it would limit the flexibility family courts must have in apportioning marital assets.