The Gordon Growth Model (GGM), also known as the Gordon-Shapiro Model, is a simple yet widely used method for valuing a company’s stock based on a future series of dividends that grow at a constant rate. It’s a discounted cash flow (DCF) model that assumes a company exists perpetually and continues to pay dividends. The core idea is that the intrinsic value of a stock is the present value of its expected future dividends.
The formula for the Gordon Growth Model is:
P = D1 / (r – g)
Where:
- P = Current stock price
- D1 = Expected dividend per share one year from now
- r = Required rate of return for equity investors
- g = Constant dividend growth rate
Let’s break down each component:
D1 (Expected Dividend Per Share): This is the most crucial input. It’s not the current dividend being paid (D0), but rather the dividend expected to be paid in the next period (typically one year). To calculate D1, you would typically multiply the current dividend by (1 + g): D1 = D0 * (1 + g).
r (Required Rate of Return): This represents the minimum return that investors demand for holding the company’s stock, considering the risk associated with it. It is typically calculated using the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM) or another method that factors in risk-free rate, beta (a measure of volatility), and market risk premium.
g (Constant Dividend Growth Rate): This is the assumed sustainable growth rate of the company’s dividends indefinitely. This is a critical assumption and often the most challenging to estimate realistically. The growth rate should be less than the overall economic growth rate, as no company can consistently outpace the economy forever. A conservative estimate of the company’s long-term earnings growth rate or a sustainable payout ratio multiplied by the return on equity (ROE) is often used as a proxy for ‘g’.
The GGM is most applicable to mature, stable companies with a history of consistently paying dividends and a predictable growth rate. It’s less suitable for high-growth companies that reinvest most of their earnings and pay little or no dividends, or for companies with volatile earnings and dividend patterns. Also, small changes in ‘r’ or ‘g’ can significantly impact the calculated stock price, making it sensitive to these inputs.
Limitations:
- Constant Growth Assumption: The biggest limitation is the assumption of constant dividend growth. In reality, few companies maintain a steady growth rate indefinitely.
- Sensitivity to Inputs: The model is highly sensitive to the values of ‘r’ and ‘g’. Small changes can lead to significant differences in the calculated stock price.
- Not Suitable for Non-Dividend Payers: The model is not useful for valuing companies that don’t pay dividends.
- ‘r’ Must Be Greater Than ‘g’: The formula only works if the required rate of return (‘r’) is greater than the dividend growth rate (‘g’). If ‘g’ is equal to or greater than ‘r’, the model produces an infinite or negative value, which is not meaningful.
Despite its limitations, the Gordon Growth Model provides a valuable framework for understanding the relationship between dividends, growth, required return, and stock valuation. It can be a useful tool for investors when used in conjunction with other valuation methods and a thorough understanding of the company being analyzed.