Glossary

What is Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF)?

Definition of Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF)

Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF) is a financial measure that represents the cash generated by a business that is available to all providers of capital, including both debt and equity investors. It reflects operating cash flow after accounting for taxes, capital expenditure, and changes in working capital.

Explanation of Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF)

Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF) is commonly used in corporate finance and business valuation to assess the cash a company generates from its operations that is available to both lenders and shareholders. The metric focuses on cash generated by the core activities of the business after required reinvestment.

FCFF is frequently used in discounted cash flow (DCF) valuation models. In these models, projected FCFF is discounted using the company’s weighted average cost of capital to estimate the enterprise value of the business.

Unlike some other cash flow measures, FCFF considers the total capital structure of the company rather than focusing only on shareholders. This makes it particularly useful when analysing companies that have both debt and equity financing.

Calculating FCFF generally involves starting with operating profit or operating cash flow and adjusting for taxes, capital expenditure, depreciation, and working capital movements. The resulting figure represents the cash available to service both debt holders and equity investors.

Key characteristics of Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF)

Key characteristics of Free Cash Flow to Firm include:

  • It measures cash generated by operations available to both lenders and shareholders.
  • The metric accounts for taxes, capital expenditure, and working capital changes.
  • It reflects the cash available before interest payments to debt holders.
  • FCFF is commonly used in discounted cash flow valuation models.
  • The measure focuses on operating performance rather than financing structure.
  • It is widely used in corporate finance analysis and business valuation.

How Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF) works

FCFF is generally calculated through the following steps:

  1. Operating profit or operating cash flow is identified.
  2. Taxes on operating income are considered.
  3. Non-cash expenses such as depreciation are added back.
  4. Capital expenditure and working capital changes are incorporated to determine the available cash flow.

Example of Free Cash Flow to Firm in practice

A UK company generates operating profit of £2 million and incurs £500,000 in capital expenditure during the year. After adjusting for taxes, depreciation, and working capital changes, the business calculates its free cash flow to firm. This figure may be used in a discounted cash flow model to estimate the company’s enterprise value.

Related terms

  • Discounted cash flow
  • Enterprise value
  • Free cash flow
  • EBITDA
  • Weighted average cost of capital
  • Capital expenditure
  • Working capital

Common misconceptions about Free Cash Flow to Firm (FCFF)

  • FCFF does not represent profit; it reflects cash generated after operational reinvestment.
  • FCFF is not the same as free cash flow to equity, which focuses only on cash available to shareholders.
  • A single year of FCFF does not necessarily indicate long-term financial performance.

Frequently asked questions about FCFF

What does Free Cash Flow to Firm measure?

Free Cash Flow to Firm measures the cash generated by a business that is available to all capital providers, including both lenders and shareholders, after operating costs, taxes, and reinvestment requirements.

How is Free Cash Flow to Firm calculated?

FCFF is typically calculated by starting with operating profit after tax, adding back non-cash expenses such as depreciation, and adjusting for capital expenditure and changes in working capital.

Why is FCFF used in valuation models?

FCFF is used in discounted cash flow models because it reflects the cash available to all providers of capital. This allows analysts to estimate the enterprise value of a business.

What is the difference between FCFF and free cash flow to equity?

FCFF represents cash available to both lenders and shareholders, while free cash flow to equity measures the cash available only to equity investors after debt obligations are considered.

What factors affect Free Cash Flow to Firm?

FCFF is influenced by operating profitability, tax obligations, capital expenditure, depreciation, and changes in working capital. These factors determine how much cash remains available after operational reinvestment.

We always recommend that you seek advice from a suitably qualified adviser before taking any action. The information in this glossary entry only serves as a guide and no responsibility for loss occasioned by any person acting or refraining from action as a result of this material can be accepted by the authors or the firm.

We can help

Contact us today to find out more about how we can help you

Get in touch

Read our insights

Top