Meaning
Valuation technique that determines the present value of future money based on a specific interest or inflation rate. Financial analysts use cash flow discounting to compare the profitability of various capital projects by bringing all future returns to a common point in time. The process accounts for the opportunity cost of capital and the inherent risk of the project.
Time Value
Money available today is generally worth more than the same amount in the future because of its earning potential. Application of cash flow discounting allows a firm to see if a five year investment will actually generate a real profit. It removes the distortion caused by the timing of receipts.
Investment Evaluation
Decision makers rely on this method to rank production upgrades or new factory builds. Through cash flow discounting, the team calculates a net present value that determines whether the project meets the minimum threshold for approval. Projects with a negative result are typically rejected regardless of their strategic appeal.
Yield Sensitivity
Small changes in the discount rate lead to large variances in the final valuation. Using cash flow discounting requires a precise estimate of the weighted average cost of capital. An overly optimistic rate might hide the risks of a long term production run.