Valuation discounts for lack of control and marketability are major points of contention when companies or controlling shareholders are required to buy out shareholders who own minority interests. What’s appropriate depends on the facts of the case — and there’s an important distinction between statutory and contractual buyouts. Statutory Buyouts In many jurisdictions, minority shareholders who…

Most closely held business owners want to know the value of their investments, especially if they are going to sell or gift shares to family members or charities. Valuing a private business is a complex undertaking, however. The only sure way to appraise a business interest is to hire a valuation professional who understands the current marketplace and the…

The business valuation profession has grown rapidly since 1980. Over the decades, it has developed from a rudimentary process into a highly sophisticated mix of art and science to determine the value of a business or business interest. However, many business owners and investors fail to understand the valuation process and its results. Here are some…