A New Approach to the Valuation of Intangible Capital

42 Pages Posted: 14 Aug 2012 Last revised: 13 Feb 2022

See all articles by Jason G. Cummins

Jason G. Cummins

Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP

Multiple version iconThere are 2 versions of this paper

Date Written: August 2003

Abstract

In this paper, I argue that intangible capital is not a distinct input to production like physical capital or labor but rather it is the glue that creates value from other inputs. This perspective naturally leads to an empirical model in which intangible capital is defined in terms of adjustment costs. Estimates of these adjustment costs using firm-level panel data suggest that there are no appreciable intangibles associated with R&D and advertising whereas information technology creates intangibles with a 70% annual rate of return a sizable figure that is nevertheless much smaller than reported in previous studies. As a bridge to previous research, I show that much larger estimates can be obtained by using ordinary least squares, which ignores the possibility that the value of the .rm and its investment policy are simultaneously determined. Larger estimates can also be obtained by ignoring the possibility that the stock market overstates the value of intangible-intensive companies.

Suggested Citation

Cummins, Jason Gustav, A New Approach to the Valuation of Intangible Capital (August 2003). NBER Working Paper No. w9924, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2129057

Jason Gustav Cummins (Contact Author)

Brevan Howard Asset Management LLP ( email )

London, SW1Y 6XA
United Kingdom

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