What financial feature must be added to enterprise value when applicable?

• A. Goodwill
• B. Equity value
• C. Minority interest
• D. Long-term liabilities

Answer: (C)

The financial feature that must be added to enterprise value when applicable is minority interest. This addition is necessary because enterprise value is intended to represent the total value of a business as a whole, including both its equity and debt components.

Minority interest, also known as non-controlling interest, reflects the portion of a subsidiary not owned by the parent company. When a company consolidates its financial statements, it must account for the entire assets and liabilities of the subsidiary, not just the owned portion. Therefore, the minority interest is added to the calculations of enterprise value to accurately portray the enterprise's total value, ensuring that the interests of all stakeholders are considered in valuation assessments.

This adjustment is especially relevant in cases where the parent company holds less than 100% equity of the subsidiary—which is common in larger corporate structures—illustrating the importance of a complete financial picture when evaluating the worth of an organization.