Ansys has generated more than $103 million of free cash flow in the last 12 months. Based on its current enterprise value of $2.9 billion, Ansys is generating a free cash flow yield of 3.5%, slightly less than the yield on five-year treasury securities.
According to Zacks Investment Research, the consensus five-year earnings growth estimate is 18% per year, which compares to 11% actual historic market growth and a 13% theoretical sustainable growth rate (equal to the average ROE since there is no dividend.)
I think sales can grow 15.7% in 2008 and 15% in 2009, which should generate nearly $130 million of free cash flow in 2008 ($1.60 per share) and $160 million in 2009 ($2.00 per share). At that time, assuming a 100% required return premium to treasuries and a 4% terminal growth rate the company could be worth $3.7 billion, or approximately $46 per share. I further believe they would have $4 per share in net cash by that time for a total potential value of $50 per share and total potential cash on cash return over the 2+ years of 30%. Discounting the cash flows to the present at a required return of 8.5% generates an estimated current intrinsic value of $46.00 per share, from which the current price represents a 20% discount.[1]
