Get the most out of your Inc. online experience by registering and joining the Inc. community today. Get access to all Inc.com content and priority invites to free Inc. networking events in your area.

Login using:


Or login directly through Inc.com

Valuations 1992: What's Your Business Worth?

Chart depicting the percentage of companies that have a formal, current valuation and those considering sale.

By Inc. staff | 
 

According to a recent survey by Coopers & Lybrand, most fast-growing companies don't bother to get or maintain current valuations. That can be a costly mistake, since owners need to know exactly what their businesses are worth when they're considering selling out -- or relying on insurance policies to protect themselves against future estate-tax liabilities.

Does your company have a formal, current valuation?

  All companies Companies that have considered or are considering sale
Current valuation 32% 48%
Outdated valuation 21 15
No formal valuation 47 38

Source: Coopers & Lybrand's Trendsetter Barometer, a survey of more than 200 growing companies with average revenues of $6.4 million, 1992.

Read more:

  • Tom Stemberg on Selling a Small Business
  • Valuations 2004: What's Your Company Worth Now?
  • What's Your Company Worth? Ask an Algorithm.

    • Sign-up for our Finance Newsletter