How to Calculate Free Cash Flow (FCF) Using EBIT(1–t) Approach – CFA-Level Explanation
๐งพ How to Calculate Free Cash Flow (FCF) Using EBIT(1–t) Approach – CFA-Level Explanation ๐ What Is Free Cash Flow? Free Cash Flow (FCF) represents the cash a business generates after accounting for the reinvestment in working capital and fixed assets (CapEx). It’s a key indicator of a firm’s ability to create shareholder value. This method calculates Unlevered Free Cash Flow , which ignores the effects of debt (interest payments), making it ideal for valuation purposes like DCF where capital structure neutrality is important. ๐ข Formula: FCF from EBIT(1–t) {FCF} = {EBIT}(1 - t) + {Depreciation & Amortization} - {Change in Working Capital} - {Capital Expenditure} Let’s break it down line by line, as shown in your image: 1. Revenue While not directly used in the FCF formula, Revenue is the starting point in financial modeling. It's used to project future EBIT (Earnings Before Interest and Taxes) via margin assumptions. 2. EBIT × (1 - t) EBIT represents the ope...