Appraisal Economics has provided an executive compensation analysis for the senior executives of a large privately held business.  Our compensation study considered the total value and components of appropriate compensation packages, considering the internal characteristics and goals of the subject company, the compensation for executives of similar private companies and public companies within the subject company’s industry, and executive compensation practices among both private and public companies.  Our compensation analysis provided recommendations for alternate compensation structures, including base salary, bonuses and other short-term incentives, and long-term compensation, including performance awards structured to align compensation with company goals and performance.

Appraisal Economics has valued bankruptcy claims on the assets of FTX Trading Ltd.  FTX was a large cryptocurrency exchange and trading platform that abruptly collapsed and filed for bankruptcy and whose CEO, Sam Bankman-Fried, was found guilty of fraud and money laundering.  The bankruptcy trustee is working to find and collect FTX assets to provide to FTX’s clients and victims.  Those who are unable or unwilling to wait for the ultimate outcome of the bankruptcy proceedings can sell their claims to investors with more risk tolerance.  The value of a bankruptcy claim depends on due diligence regarding the validity and likelihood that the claim will be accepted by the bankruptcy trustee, the claim’s seniority and preference amounts, the value and volatility of the underlying assets, asset recovery expenses, and the expected time until the bankruptcy estate is settled.  Appraisal Economics valued the FTX bankruptcy claims for gift and estate tax planning purposes.

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Appraisal Economics has determined the fair market value of a split-dollar receivable in connection with a second-to-die joint life insurance policy. The trustees of the policy entered into a split-dollar agreement with the beneficiary of their life insurance policy. The policy was funded with a single premium payment, and the Split-Dollar Agreement would pay the beneficiary upon the realization of the policy (the “Receivable”). The first step in valuing the Receivable was to determine the appropriate discount rate to use to calculate the present value. Next, we considered the lack of an active trading market for such an instrument. Our concluded value was used for the purpose of the trustee’s gift and estate tax planning.

Appraisal Economics has determined the fair value of an employee stock purchase plan (ESPP), for financial reporting under ASC 718 for a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT). The purchase price under the Type B plan was established as a 15 percent discount to the lesser of the stock’s publicly traded price on the grant date and its publicly traded price at the end of the ESPP. The award was economically analogous to a financial instrument known as a “look-back option.” We determined the fair value of the look-back option and, therefore, the ESPP using a synthetic option structure and the Black-Scholes-Merton Model. Our concluded value considered the six-month lock-up that participants were subject to after the end of the ESPP’s term.

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Appraisal Economics has determined the fair market value of restricted blockchain tokens that are not yet publicly traded in connection with Section 83(b) of the Internal Revenue Code. The blockchain technology underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Ether, and the recent surge in popularity has resulted in other entities issuing blockchain-based units, often issued as compensation to employees and advisors. As part of our valuation, we reviewed the firm’s white paper, management’s projections, the restricted token award agreement, and the advisor agreement. Then, we analyzed the failure rates of new companies and rates of return by venture capital investors that invest in early-stage, high-risk investments similar to the tokens to determine the probability-weighted expected payoff to a holder of the tokens and a discount rate to account for the time value of money. Our report was used to facilitate a Section 83(b) election for federal income tax purposes.

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Appraisal Economics has determined the fair value of the property and equipment of a large hospital in California for financial reporting under ASC 805. We determined the fair value of the land by conducting a sales comparison analysis. All comparables were verified by several sources, including brokers, municipal officials, tax searches, and real estate commercial services. Buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures, and equipment were valued using the cost approach. As part of our analysis, we made adjustments to the values of the subject property and equipment to account for their physical depreciation, functional obsolescence, and economic obsolescence.

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Appraisal Economics has determined the fair market value of a bundle of intangible rights associated with the publishing of a scholarly journal in the health and medical field. These rights included the limited use of certain intangibles including trademark, subscriber list, and advertiser relationships. We used the income approach to determine the aggregate fair market value of these rights. Key issues included the probable term of the agreement, given the option of extensions, as well as the projected growth in the various revenue streams, in view of the recent historical decline. Another key issue was the tax status of a willing buyer for the rights, as the payment of income taxes would reduce the income derived from the rights and thus the net rate of return to be realized.

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Appraisal Economics has completed the valuation of a New Jersey-based commercial real estate development company engaged in construction management and the development of properties for light industrial use, including warehouses, distribution centers, and light manufacturing. The company also provides property management services. We valued the Company using the discounted cash flow method of the income approach and the guideline transaction method of the market approach. A key issue was the determination of a market-based level of owners’ compensation, as the majority owner was significantly under-compensated for the value of his services rendered to the business.

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Appraisal Economics Inc. has determined the fair value of a profits interest in the real estate development of one of the tallest buildings in Manhattan. When completed, the building is projected to be one of the most expensive office towers in the world. Our engagement consisted of analyzing the projected economics of the project, including construction costs, joint venture terms, rental rates and vacancies, future capitalization rates, and myriad other complexities associated with a project of such magnitude. The valuation of this complex security included traditional discounted cash flow analysis and option pricing analysis, based on the terms of the profits interest. We valued the put rights, call rights, and redemption rights inherent in the profits interest. Also included in our analysis was valuation of promote interests embedded in the development project.

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