Definition of Free Cash Flow



Free cash flows or FCFF means that are residual after payment of all operational costs and capital expenditures. Free cash flows are different from accounting profit as it excludes the non-cash items (depreciation & amortization) that are incorporated in the income statement, and incorporates the costs of capital investments.

 


There are normally two types of free cash flows calculations, free cash flows to the firm (FCFF), and free cash flows to equity (FCFE). The FCFF is available to bondholders and shareholders whereas the FCFE are available to stockholders only.

 


 The formulas for FCFF and FCFE are as follows:

FCFF = (EBITDA) * (1-t) + D*t - CAPEX – IWC

FCFE = (EBITDA) * (1-t) + D*t - CAPEX – IWC – Interest *(1-t) + Net Borrowings

Where,

EBITDA = Earnings before interest tax depreciation and amortization

t = Tax rate

CAPEX = Capital expenditure

IWC = Investment in working capital

 

View More Managerial Finance Definitions