Clouded Judgement: Cloud SaaS Valuation Multiple Compression & Fundamental Performance Disconnect
Cloud software multiples have compressed significantly from August 2021 peaks but remain elevated for high-growth companies, while underlying business fundamentals have actually strengthened with improved margins and net retention metrics. The article provides detailed valuation benchmarking and operating metrics across public SaaS companies, revealing a disconnect between multiple normalization and operational durability.
Metrics in this report
25months
median
Public SaaS companies
9.4multiple
median
Overall public SaaS companies
30.5multiple
median
Top 5 highest-valued SaaS companies
17.9multiple
median
High growth SaaS (>30% NTM growth)
8.7multiple
median
Mid growth SaaS (15-30% NTM growth)
4.2multiple
median
Low growth SaaS (<15% NTM growth)
4percent
median
Overall public SaaS companies
-10percent
median
Top 10 highest-valued SaaS companies
19percent of revenue
median
Public SaaS companies
74percent
median
Public SaaS companies
34percent
median
Public SaaS companies
24percent
median
Public SaaS companies
119percent
median
Public SaaS companies
-19percent
median
Overall public SaaS companies
-44percent
median
Top 10 highest-valued SaaS companies
26percent of revenue
median
Public SaaS companies
44percent of revenue
median
Public SaaS companies