Free cash flow to firm
A common formulation starts with operating profit after tax, adds back relevant non-cash expenses, then deducts capital expenditure and increases in operating working capital. Financing interest and principal payments are excluded when discounting FCFF at an appropriate WACC, avoiding double-counting financing. The resulting value is normally an operating enterprise value; adjust for separately valued non-operating assets and relevant debt or other claims to reach equity value. 'Free cash flow' is used in different ways, so state whether it refers to all finance providers or only equity.
Worked example
Operating profit after tax is $500,000, non-cash depreciation $80,000, capital expenditure $120,000 and additional working capital $30,000. FCFF is $500,000 + $80,000 − $120,000 − $30,000 = $430,000 before financing flows.
Common mistake
Deducting interest in FCFF and then discounting at WACC, or labelling the resulting enterprise value as equity without the necessary adjustments.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | AFM | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | FM | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |
