Why Is Cash Subtracted from Enterprise Value?

Cash gets subtracted when calculating Enterprise Value because (1) cash is considered a non-operating asset AND (2) cash is already implicitly accounted for within equity value. Note that when we subtract cash, to be precise, we should say excess cash.

Why do we remove cash from enterprise value?

Cash and Cash Equivalents

We subtract this amount from EV because it will reduce the acquiring costs of the target company. It is assumed that the acquirer will use the cash. Cash equivalents include money market securities, banker's acceptances immediately to pay off a portion of the theoretical takeover price.

Should cash be included in enterprise value?

Enterprise value (EV) is a measure of a company's total value, often used as a more comprehensive alternative to equity market capitalization. Enterprise value includes in its calculation the market capitalization of a company but also short-term and long-term debt as well as any cash on the company's balance sheet.