Skip to content

We want to clarify that IG International does not have an official Line account at this time. We have not established any official presence on Line messaging platform. Therefore, any accounts claiming to represent IG International on Line are unauthorized and should be considered as fake.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

Book value definition

What is book value?

Book value, or net book value, is the term used to describe how much a business or asset is worth according to its financials. For businesses, it is the total value of tangible assets minus liabilities. And for assets, it is the amount that was paid for the asset minus depreciation – which is the decline in an asset’s value due to market conditions.

Business book value calculation
Asset book value calculation

Difference between book value and market value

While book value reflects what a business is worth according to its financials (its books), market value is the worth of a company according to financial markets – also known as its market capitalisation. The calculation for market value is the current market price per share multiplied by the total number of outstanding shares.

Book value example

To calculate the book value of a company, you would use the total amount of tangible assets and subtract the liabilities. For example, ABC Limited has $320 million in assets and $190 million in liabilities. In this case, the company’s book value will be $130 million ($320 million – $190 million).

To determine the book value per share in the company, you would divide the book value by the number of shares in circulation. For example, $130 million divided by 500,000 shares = $260.

How do traders and investors use book value?

Book value is used by traders and investors to compare different companies, and to find undervalued or overvalued stocks. This is done by using the price-to-book (P/B) ratio, which assesses a company’s current market price against its book value.

To calculate the P/B ratio, you would simply divide the market price per share by the book value per share. Shares would be considered undervalued if the P/B ratio is lower than one, and overvalued if it’s significantly more than one.

Pros and cons of book value

Pros of book value

Using the book value calculation can show how much a business or asset is worth based on data, rather than on speculation or opinion. Therefore, it is considered a relatively accurate measure of value. This means it can be useful when trying to learn more about a company or find stocks at a fair price.

Cons of book value

Book value alone is not a definitive measure of value. This is because book value is ineffective at valuing intangible assets, such as intellectual property rights. For example, companies that develop software might be able to develop products for a relatively low cost, so the balance sheet might not reflect the true value of the assets. This could mean that the company’s shares trade at many times their book value but should not be considered overvalued.

Book value should therefore be used as a comparative measure (to compare assets and companies with one another).

Build your trading knowledge

Discover how to trade with IG Academy, using our series of interactive courses, webinars and seminars.

A - B - C - D - E - F - G - H - I - L - M - N - O - P - Q - R - S - T - U - V - W - Y

See all glossary trading terms

Contact us

Questions about opening an account: +44 (20) 7633 5430 or email: sales.en@ig.com

Existing client questions:
+44 (20) 7633 5431 or email: helpdesk.en@ig.com

We’re here 24 hours a day, except from 6am to 4pm on Saturday (UTC+8).