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The Global Insight

How do you find the fair market value of common stock?

Author

Michael Gray

Updated on March 10, 2026

Fair market value for publicly traded stock In such cases, the fair market value is calculated by taking the average of the highest and lowest selling prices of the day. If fair market value needs to be established for a non-trading day, then the averages from the day before and after may be used instead.

How is fair market value of private stock determined?

In private companies, the Fair Market Value (FMV) is the accepted current value of one share of a private company’s common stock. Fair Market Value is determined by independent third party appraisers. It represents what the stock would be worth on the open market.

How does IRS determine fair market value?

So what is fair market value (FMV)? According to the IRS, it’s the price that property would sell for on the open market. This is the price that would be agreed upon between a willing buyer and a willing seller. Neither would be required to act, and both would have reasonable knowledge of the relevant facts.

What is the difference between market value and fair market value?

The term, fair market value, is intentionally distinct from similar terms such as market value or appraised value because it considers the economic principles of free and open market activity, whereas the term, market value, simply refers to the price of an asset in the marketplace.

What does fair market value mean for stock?

Fair market value is the accepted current value of one share of a private company’s common stock. It represents what the stock would be worth on the open market. However, this is not the same thing as “post-money valuation”, which is the market value for the entire company. How to determine a stock’s fair market value

How does the 409A determine fair market value?

409A valuations determine the fair market value of your common stock. In other words, they control the price employees, contractors, and anyone else who gets common stock needs to pay to purchase their stock options—this is called the strike price. The strike price must be equal or greater than the FMV stated in the 409A valuation.

How is par value of preferred stock calculated?

To calculate the value of common stock, multiply the number of shares the company issues by the par value per share. Similarly, the value of preferred stock is calculated by multiplying the number of preferred shares issued by the par value per share.

How is the value of a stock related to the price of the stock?

The value of a stock is not related to its stock price on the stock market. Investors cannot make informed decisions about the type of stocks they might want to buy and the timing of when to buy and sell stocks without knowing their fair value. READ What Is a Treasury Bond and How Does It Work?