Advanced Beta Techniques

Corporate Finance Fundamentals · 4:14

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Lyrics

[Verse 1]
When companies have different risks inside
Pure-play method helps us find what's true
Take apart the businesses they hide
Isolate the beta that's right for you
Find a company that's purely one thing
Match the risk you're trying to analyze
That's the beta number you should bring
To value projects of a similar size

[Chorus]
Unlever first then relever again
Strip out the debt then add it back in
Pure-play beta shows the business risk
Unlever first then relever again
Capital structure we must comprehend
Financial leverage changes what we get

[Verse 2]
Asset beta is the business alone
Without the debt that makes it swing around
Equity beta includes what they owe
Financial risk makes bigger ups and downs
Use the formula to strip debt away
Divide by one plus debt to equity
Times one minus tax rate for the day
Now you've got pure business activity

[Chorus]
Unlever first then relever again
Strip out the debt then add it back in
Pure-play beta shows the business risk
Unlever first then relever again
Capital structure we must comprehend
Financial leverage changes what we get

[Bridge]
Find comparable companies in the same line
Unlever their betas to see business risk
Then relever with your capital design
The target structure that you can't dismiss
Different debt levels mean different risk
Adjust the beta for the leverage mix

[Verse 3]
Now you've got the beta for your case
Reflects both business and financial risk
Pure-play method puts you in the right place
No more guessing what the number is
When capital structures aren't the same
Unlever and relever is the game

[Chorus]
Unlever first then relever again
Strip out the debt then add it back in
Pure-play beta shows the business risk
Unlever first then relever again
Capital structure we must comprehend
Financial leverage changes what we get

[Outro]
Pure-play method breaks it down
Asset beta business risk
Equity beta total risk
Unlever and relever now

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