Enterprise Value - EV

What Does Enterprise Value - EV Mean?
A measure of a company's value, often used as an alternative to straightforward market capitalization. EV is calculated as market cap plus debt, minority interest and preferred shares, minus total cash and cash equivalents.

Investopedia explains Enterprise Value - EV
Think of enterprise value as the theoretical takeover price. In the event of a buyout, an acquirer would have to take on the company's debt, but would pocket its cash. EV differs significantly from simple market capitalization in several ways, and many consider it to be a more accurate representation of a firm's value. The value of a firm's debt, for example, would need to be paid by the buyer when taking over a company, and thus EV provides a much more accurate takeover valuation because it includes debt in its value calculation.