30 Calculate the book value per share

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    Book Per Value
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around calculating the book value per share for Newmarket Industries, focusing on the definitions of equity, assets, and liabilities. Participants explore the formula and arithmetic involved in determining the book value per share, addressing potential misunderstandings in the calculation process.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant initially calculates the book value per share as $137.5, but expresses doubt about the result being too large.
  • Another participant suggests that book value per share should be calculated as equity divided by total shares, defining equity as assets minus liabilities.
  • A subsequent post reiterates the definition of equity and asks for clarification on the calculation.
  • One participant provides a calculation of $12.5 per share, based on the formula for equity.
  • Another participant corrects the previous calculations, stating that the correct book value per share is $67.50, based on the subtraction of liabilities from assets.
  • There is a humorous acknowledgment of potential arithmetic errors among participants.
  • A later post emphasizes that the misunderstanding may stem from not properly grasping the concept of liabilities, which should be subtracted from total assets.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the correct calculation of book value per share, with multiple competing calculations presented. The discussion remains unresolved regarding which calculation is correct.

Contextual Notes

Participants' calculations depend on their interpretations of assets and liabilities, and there are unresolved arithmetic steps in the various proposed formulas.

karush
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$\text{$32$}$

$\text{Newmarket Industries currently has $2,000$ shares of common stock outstanding. }$
$\text{The Firm has assets of $\$200,000$ and total liabilities including preferred stock of $\$75.000$.}$
$\text{Calculate the book value per share of Newmarket common stock}$

$$\frac{200,000+75,000}{2,000}=\frac{275}{2}=137.5 \text{ per share}$$

just looks too large
 
Last edited:
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I would think book value per share would be equity per total shares...and equity is assets less liabilities...:)
 
MarkFL said:
I would think book value per share would be equity per total shares...and equity is assets less liabilities...:)
What is equity per total shares...?
 
karush said:
What is equity per total shares...?

That would be the equity (assets minus liabilities), divided by the total number of shares. :)
 
$\frac{200,000-75,000}{2,000}=\frac{25}{2}=12.5 \text{ per share}$

this?
 
karush said:
$\frac{200,000-75,000}{2,000}=\frac{25}{2}=12.5 \text{ per share}$

this?

Not quite...

$$\text{Book Value Per Share}=\frac{\$200000-$75000}{2000}=\$67.50\text{ per share}$$
 
Ok well
I never learned basic arithmetic 😖
 
karush said:
Ok well
I never learned basic arithmetic 😖

I think everyone here runs into issues with basic arithmetic from time to time, except one particularly careful individual. (Bandit)
 
The original mistake was not "arithmetic" but perhaps not understanding what "liabilities" are. Liabilities are money you owe so you subtract liabilities from value, not add them.
 

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