They may thus, say the three economists, have been buying in order to exchange over-valued equity for real assets.

ECONOMIST: Hostile bids are back again. Who should rejoice?

The only true test would be to see if any of the items valued were transacted within 24-36 months of the valuation (basically two to three cycles of the art market) and then compare the actual net auction proceeds to the heirs to the valuation by the Panel.

FORBES: Is Art Advisory Panel Giving Taxpayers A Fair Shake ?

The struggling Winn-Dixie Stores, with six times as many stores and three times as much in sales, is valued at just 10% of Whole Foods' market value.

FORBES: Magazine Article

With help from Jeffrey Parkhurst, managing director of business strategy at Mindshare, a WPP-owned media agency, we valued the brands by looking at brand earnings over the past three years, subtracting a charge for the capital employed and then taking a percentage of earnings based on the role brands play in each industry.

FORBES: International