Court Opinion

ID: 9728039
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 13:56:31.861972+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:25:45.321981
License: Public Domain

Opinion on Rehearing June 30, 1965.
Stuart, J.
— Plaintiffs were granted a rehearing’ upon the original opinion reported at 257 Iowa 1077, 133 N.W.2d 38. They complain that the computation used as an aid- in arriving-at the real value of defendant’s stock overstated such value because the investment income was included in the earnings. to which a price-earnings ratio was applied and the value of the investment assets was then added to the resulting figure. The point .raised is a valid one. It is obvious the value is inflated when the value of the assets and the income therefrom, are both used in the same computation. The price-earnings ratio, is applied to operating income and it was improper to have included investment income.
The’ parties agree generally on the' gross investment income, but differ as to the amount of income tax' which should be deducted to -arrive at net investment income. Defendant applied the regular corporaté tax rates and plaintiffs'applied the'reduced rates applicable to the particular type of income, for éxample; no income tax was deducted from interest on municipal bonds. It is our conclusion that the income tax deducted on Schedule J; réfeíred to in the" initial opinion, was computed at the actual'’tax rates applicable. This is the testimony of Mr. McKean appearing on page 117 of'the record and is supported by computing the' income tax by this method. The average net investment income determined in such a manner was approximately $4700-.' : ' : ’
In resistance, defendant points out that the Visual Education subsidiary, contrary to the statement 'in our opinion; was in existence during the five-year period used and we did not' consider either the income or net worth in our computation. While the corporation had not been dissolved, it was’not doing business at the time, and the income would not have been a .useful guide to future profits of the corporation. However, the net worth of the subsidiary should have been included in investment assets.
*1105Onr computation, therefore, is to be adjusted in two particulars. (1) The earnings are to be reduced from $106,538 to $101,838 by deducting. '$4700 investment income. (2) The investment assets ar.e.to be increased from $137,262. jbo $149,928 by adding the net worth of Visual Education in the amount of $12,666. The corrected computation- is as follows:
Earnings .:... 101,838
P/E ratio . 13.5
1,374,813
Excess working cap... 385,000
Inv. Assets .1.1. 149,928
Total value ..;.1,909,741
Per share $1591;
Plaintiffs; however, place too much reliance upon this mathematical .calculation. They would urge us to set the value'of defendant’s stock at $1591.. They misconstrue the purpose of the computation. As pointed out in the last paragraph of our opinion, the valuation- of the stock in the final analysis is a matter of judgment based on all material evidence and- the consideration of all relevant factors. The formula used is not an exact scientific certainty in which the answer is the only correct answer. Too many of the elements are estimates and opinions. It was used as an aid in arriving , at bur judged valuation and to test its reasonableness. Since the formula was an important fáetor in our final judgment-, the' errors herein discussed did affect the final figure, but not .to the extent urged’’ by plaintiffs. We feel in all fairness, however-, that the corrections should be reflected in the final judgment and therefore reduce’ the.value of defendant’s stock to $1620 per share or a total of $613,980. In all other respects the opinion-filed February 9, 1965, is confirmed. ’
Defendant’s motion to retax the costs is denied. ...
All JustiCes concur.