Valuing firms within the utilities sector using regression analysis: : An empirical study of the US and European market

Abstract: Valuing a company is an important task in finance, especially before a potential merger or acquisition of a company. It is then of great importance for both parties in a deal to make an accurate estimate of the value of the company. The goal of this paper is to investigate how well regression analysis can be applied in this matter and if it can perform at par or better than more frequently used methods in the industry today. The study was conducted within the utilities sector in the US and Europe, with data collected from historic public transactions dating back to 2009. The study concludes that a regression model as a valuation tool can generate several advantages as it identifies key value drivers and is based on core mathematical concepts. However, the model created in this thesis underperforms compared to the prominent methods in place today. For further research this thesis may provide useful insight into different areas to consider when creating a valuation model.