Case Name :      Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, 1995 Abridged V. 1.3

Authors :           Robert F. Bruner, Douglas Fordyce

Source :             Darden School of Business

Case ID :           UV2402

Discipline :        Finance

Case Length :    31 pages

Solution Sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

This case explains the plan of the Equitable Companies to sell a 20 percent interest in Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette (DLJ) via an equity carve-out in an initial public offering (IPO), and presents students the task of pricing DLJ’s shares in the IPO. The company approached the pricing task using the method of comparable multiples. The case gives ample information on valuation multiples of peer firms. A key point of assessment is to choose which industry segment DLJ competes in so that an appropriate multiple may be chosen. The case also describes the equity-underwriting process in detail. It presents a rich range of industry information, affording an opportunity to discuss forces of change in the investment-banking industry. The teaching note explains how the case may be used to explore the trade-off between maximizing the offering price and supporting the trading of shares in the aftermarket. This case is an abridgement of the A and B  cases, which may be taught alone or together. Taught together, they would ordinarily require two class periods. The instructor may cover the general subject matter of the A and B cases by using this abridged version.