How to Build a Valuation Football Field in Excel and PowerPoint

Choose a consistent valuation basis

Label whether each bar represents enterprise value, equity value or a target-return purchase price. A DCF enterprise value and an LBO purchase-price ceiling can be useful together, but they are not identical concepts. For trading comparables, apply a selected multiple range to the same earnings period and definition.

Worked example: three ranges

Suppose DCF gives $70m–$95m with an $82m base case, APV gives $74m–$98m with an $86m base, and an LBO entry-price analysis gives $65m–$90m with a $78m base. Plot all three against the same axis, but label the LBO bar as purchase price rather than silently calling every result intrinsic EV.

These are illustrative ranges from chosen inputs, not probabilities or independent observations. A base case does not have to sit at the arithmetic midpoint.

Build floating bars in Excel

Create columns for method, low value, high value, base case and range width. Insert a stacked horizontal bar chart using the low value and range width. Hide the low-value series to leave a floating bar; add a separately aligned base-case marker.

Range width = High value − Low value
For low 70 and high 95, width = 25

Prepare the slide for decision-makers

Use one unit and currency, a shared axis, readable method labels and concise notes on sensitivity inputs. State the earnings period and valuation date. With only one selected method, describe a base-case value and sensitivity range, not a range “across methodologies.”

• Do not shift each bar to a different scale.
• Do not average unlike values into an unexplained headline.
• Explain any excluded method or non-comparable basis.
• Keep model values and slide values linked to the same assumptions.

The diophos chart

diophos derives ranges from its selected-method sensitivity runs and exports the same ranges to the deck. It distinguishes Exit Multiple purchase price from DCF/APV enterprise value. The current app methods are DCF, APV and Exit Multiple; trading comparables above are a general presentation example, not an additional app method.