Where to Find a Company’s Book Value Per Share

Book value per share (BVPS) is a fundamental financial metric that provides insight into a company’s financial health. It represents the per-share value of a company’s equity based on its accounting records, offering a snapshot of the resources attributable to each outstanding share.

Understanding Book Value Per Share

Book value per share signifies the theoretical amount shareholders would receive if a company were to liquidate its assets, pay off all its liabilities, and distribute the remaining funds. It is derived from a company’s balance sheet, from its shareholders’ equity. Shareholders’ equity represents the residual value of a company’s assets after liabilities.

The calculation involves taking the total shareholders’ equity and dividing it by the total number of common shares outstanding. This figure reflects the accounting value of the company’s equity. BVPS contrasts with market value per share, which is influenced by market sentiment and future earnings potential.

Publicly Traded Company Sources

For publicly traded companies, book value per share can be found through official financial statements or via reputable financial data websites. Official financial statements, such as annual reports (Form 10-K) and quarterly reports (Form 10-Q), are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These documents provide a comprehensive analysis of a company’s financial condition and are accessible through the SEC’s EDGAR database or the investor relations section of a company’s website.

To calculate BVPS from these filings, locate the “Total Shareholders’ Equity” (sometimes referred to as “Total Stockholders’ Equity” or “Total Equity”) on the company’s Balance Sheet. You will also need the “Total Shares Outstanding” or “Shares Issued and Outstanding,” which can often be found on the Balance Sheet itself or in the footnotes to the financial statements. Once these figures are obtained, divide total shareholders’ equity by total shares outstanding.

Many financial data websites and platforms also provide pre-calculated BVPS figures for publicly traded companies. Popular examples include Yahoo Finance, Google Finance, Bloomberg, and Reuters. On these platforms, search for the company by its ticker symbol and then navigate to sections like “Key Statistics,” “Valuation,” or “Financials” tabs to find the BVPS metric.

While convenient, cross-reference data from multiple financial websites or, ideally, verify it against the company’s official SEC filings. Automated calculations on these platforms may occasionally differ slightly due to variations in data aggregation methods or reporting delays. Consulting SEC filings ensures the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Privately Held Company Sources

Determining book value per share for privately held companies requires accessing internal financial records, as these entities do not file public reports with the SEC. The most direct method involves consulting the company’s internal financial statements, specifically its Balance Sheet. This document will contain the necessary components to calculate BVPS.

On the private company’s Balance Sheet, locate the “Total Equity” (which might also be labeled as “Owner’s Equity” or “Shareholders’ Equity”). If the company is structured as a corporation or an LLC taxed as a corporation, you will also need the number of shares issued and outstanding. The book value per share is then calculated by dividing the total equity by the number of shares outstanding.

Consulting with the company’s accountant or Chief Financial Officer (CFO) is often the best way to obtain or verify this figure for a private entity. These professionals have direct access to the most current and accurate financial records and can provide immediate clarification. Additionally, if a formal business valuation report has been prepared for the private company, the book value per share may be explicitly stated within that document.