In the Year in Which It Intends to Go Public

In the year in which it intends to go public, a firm has revenues of $20 million and net income after taxes of $2 million. The firm has no debt, and revenue is expected to grow at 20% annually for the next five years and 5% annually thereafter. Net profit margins are expected remain constant throughout. Capital expenditures are expected to grow in line with depreciation and working capital requirements are minimal. The average beta of a publicly traded company in this industry is 1.50 and the average debt/equity ratio is 20%. The firm is managed very conservatively and does not intend to borrow through the foreseeable future. The Treasury bond rate is 6% and the tax rate is 40%. The normal spread between the return on stocks and the risk free rate of return is believed to be 5.5%. Reflecting the slower growth rate in the sixth year and beyond, the firm's discount rate is expected to decline to the industry average cost of capital of 10.4%. Estimate the value of the firm's equity.