Residualwerts

Residualwerts, also called residual value, is the estimated amount that an asset will be worth at the end of its useful life or lease term. It is a key parameter in accounting, leasing, and asset valuation, and is not the same as the asset’s carrying amount or replacement cost.

In accounting, the residual value reduces the depreciation base. If depreciation is calculated on the cost minus residual value divided by the useful life, a higher residual value lowers annual depreciation and a lower residual value raises it. The estimate may be revised if conditions change.

In leasing, the residual value represents the expected value of the leased asset at the end of the lease. It can influence lease payments and the lessee’s or lessor’s decision to exercise a purchase option. Some contracts include a guaranteed residual value, where the lessee promises to cover any shortfall if the asset’s actual value falls short of the guarantee.

In asset valuation and investment modeling, the residual value (sometimes called terminal value or salvage value) is used to model the end-of-period cash flow or to estimate the asset’s salable value. Estimation approaches include market approaches (observed prices for similar used assets), cost approaches (replacement cost adjusted for wear), and income approaches (present value of expected sale proceeds). All methods involve uncertainty and are subject to sensitivity analysis.

Factors affecting residual values include asset class, brand and condition, utilization, technological obsolescence, market demand, and economic conditions. Example: a car purchased for 30,000 with an estimated residual value of 6,000 after five years results in annual depreciation of (30,000 − 6,000)/5 = 4,800.