How does one determine a stock's intrinsic value?

Determining a stock's intrinsic value is a key part of fundamental analysis, which involves evaluating a company's financial and economic fundamentals to estimate the stock's true worth. There are several methods that can be used to determine a stock's intrinsic value, including:

Discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis: This method involves estimating the future cash flows a company is expected to generate, and discounting those cash flows back to their present value using a discount rate that reflects the time value of money and the level of risk associated with the investment. The resulting net present value (NPV) represents the intrinsic value of the stock.

Dividend discount model (DDM): This method estimates the intrinsic value of a stock by calculating the present value of expected future dividend payments. The model assumes that the stock's value is equal to the present value of all future dividends, discounted back to their present value using a required rate of return.

Pricetoearnings (P/E) ratio analysis: This method compares a stock's current price to its earnings per share (EPS), to determine how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of earnings. A lower P/E ratio may suggest that a stock is undervalued relative to its earnings potential.

Pricetobook (P/B) ratio analysis: This method compares a stock's current price to its book value per share, to determine how much investors are willing to pay for each dollar of assets. A lower P/B ratio may suggest that a stock is undervalued relative to its book value.

Comparable company analysis (CCA): This method involves comparing a company's financial metrics to those of similar companies in the same industry, to identify potential discrepancies in valuation. By comparing a company's P/E ratio, P/B ratio, and other metrics to those of similar companies, investors can estimate a company's intrinsic value based on industry norms.

It's important to keep in mind that these methods are not foolproof and that the resulting intrinsic value estimates can vary widely based on the assumptions and inputs used. Additionally, market sentiment, news, and other factors can impact a stock's price and valuation, so it's important to also consider these factors when making investment decisions.