Free Cash Flow
In addition to identifying sources and uses of cash, investors are interested in measuring free cash flow. This concept focuses on the cash generated from operations in excess of that needed for reinvestment. Some measures of free cash flow can be determined directly from the cash flow statement.
Free cash flow is an important concept for valuation. Analysts frequently value firms based on the present value of expected future free cash flow. If a firm is not expected to generate free cash flow in the future, it is unlikely to be valuable.
The measure of free cash flow depends on the perspective of the investor doing the measuring. Free cash flow available to the firm represents cash flow available to both debt and equity holders. Free cash flow to equity is what remains after debtholders have received their contractually obligated payments – namely interest.
For more information, see all articles on: Accounting, Adjusting Reported Financial Statements, Financial Statement Analysis, Fundamental Analysis, Valuation See also:
The Intelligent Investor: The Classic Text on Value Investing
Financial Statement Analysis: A Practitioner's Guide, 3rd Edition
Managing Investment Portfolios: A Dynamic Process (CFA Institute Investment Series)