Intrinsic Value vs Fair Value: What's the Difference?

요약

Intrinsic value is what a business is worth based on the cash it can generate over time, estimated with a DCF model that is largely independent of the current market price. Fair value is usually a relative estimate derived from earnings or other multiples, anchored to what comparable companies trade at. Intrinsic value asks what the business is truly worth; fair value asks what a reasonable price looks like given the market.

항목Intrinsic Value (DCF-based)Fair Value (multiple-based)
DefinitionWhat the business is worth based on its own future cash flowsA reasonable price implied by earnings or peer multiples
Calculation BasisDiscounted future free cash flows (DCF)Earnings multiple such as PE applied to EPS
Reliance on Market SentimentLow — driven by fundamental assumptionsHigher — anchored to current market multiples
Best-Suited CompaniesBusinesses with predictable free cash flowProfitable companies with comparable peers
MiniValuator PageDCF valuation (/dcf)PE valuation (/pe)
Main LimitationVery sensitive to growth and discount rate assumptionsInherits market mispricing when the peer group is expensive

다음과 같은 경우 Intrinsic Value (DCF-based) 선택...

Investors who want an independent estimate of what a company is worth based on its future cash flows, especially for long-term decisions where the current market price may be wrong.

다음과 같은 경우 Fair Value (multiple-based) 선택...

Investors who want a quick read on whether a profitable company is reasonably priced relative to its earnings and peers, useful for screening and sanity checks.

Estimate both with MiniValuator — get a DCF intrinsic value and a PE fair value for any US stock, free to start.

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