Stock Analysis

An Intrinsic Value Calculation For Fiserv Inc (NASDAQ:FISV) Shows Investors Are Overpaying

NYSE:FI
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Does the share price for Fiserv Inc (NASDAQ:FISV) reflect it's really worth? Today, I will calculate the stock's intrinsic value by projecting its future cash flows and then discounting them to today's value. This is done using the Discounted Cash Flows (DCF) model. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple! Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model. Please also note that this article was written in January 2018 so be sure check out the updated calculation by following the link below. See our latest analysis for Fiserv
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Crunching the numbers

I'm using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have perpetual stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next five years. Where possible I use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available I have extrapolated the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the year before. For this growth rate I used the average annual growth rate over the past five years, but capped at a reasonable level. I then discount the sum of these cash flows to arrive at a present value estimate.

5-year cash flow estimate

20182019202020212022
Levered FCF ($, Millions)$1,326.22$1,428.55$1,497.09$1,568.92$1,644.19
SourceAnalyst x9Analyst x5Extrapolated @ (4.8%)Extrapolated @ (4.8%)Extrapolated @ (4.8%)
Present Value Discounted @ 9.71%$1,208.86$1,186.91$1,133.79$1,083.04$1,034.56

Present Value of 5-year Cash Flow (PVCF)= $5,647

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after the five years. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at an annual growth rate equal to the 10-year government bond rate of 2.5%. We discount this to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.7%.

Terminal Value (TV) = FCF2022 × (1 + g) ÷ (r – g) = $1,644 × (1 + 2.5%) ÷ (9.7% – 2.5%) = $23,276

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV) = TV / (1 + r)5 = $23,276 / ( 1 + 9.7%)5 = $14,646

The total value is the sum of cash flows for the next five years and the discounted terminal value, which results in the Total Equity Value, which in this case is $20,293. In the final step we divide the equity value by the number of shares outstanding. If the stock is an depositary receipt (represents a specified number of shares in a foreign corporation) or ADR then we use the equivalent number. This results in an intrinsic value of $97.38, which, compared to the current share price of $137.22, we find that Fiserv is quite expensive at the time of writing.

NasdaqGS:FISV Intrinsic Value Jan 16th 18
NasdaqGS:FISV Intrinsic Value Jan 16th 18

Important assumptions

Now the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate, and of course, the actual cash flows. If you don't agree with my result, have a go at the calculation yourself and play with the assumptions. Because we are looking at Fiserv as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighed average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation I've used 9.7%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.961. This is derived from the Bottom-Up Beta method based on comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

Next Steps:

Whilst important, DCF calculation shouldn’t be the only metric you look at when researching a company. What is the reason for the share price to differ from the intrinsic value? For FISV, there are three essential aspects you should further research:

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow for every stock on the NASDAQ every 6 hours. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

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Simply Wall St analyst Simply Wall St and Simply Wall St have no position in any of the companies mentioned. This article is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material.

About NYSE:FI

Fiserv

Provides payments and financial services technology solutions in the United States, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, the Asia-Pacific, and internationally.

Moderate growth potential with mediocre balance sheet.

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