How is the book value of a company defined?

The book value of a company is defined as the difference between the total assets and total liabilities. This metric reflects the net worth of a company as reported on its balance sheet, indicating what would remain for shareholders if the company were to liquidate all its assets and pay off all its liabilities.

When calculating book value, total assets include everything the company owns (like cash, inventory, and property), while total liabilities encompass all debts and obligations (like loans and payables). Thus, the book value provides a foundational figure for investors to assess a company's financial health and evaluate whether its stock price is undervalued or overvalued relative to its net assets.

The other choices do not accurately represent the book value concept. For example, estimating future earnings relates more to projections and not the current financial state based on existing assets and liabilities. Total invested capital refers to the money that shareholders have contributed but does not encompass all liabilities. Lastly, multiplying the number of outstanding shares by the share price results in market capitalization, which can differ significantly from book value as it reflects the market's perception of the company's worth rather than its actual net asset value.