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Decision-Making and Investment Appraisal

Discounted cash flow and net present value

  • 3 things to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Time value of money, discount factor and net present value.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What is the time value of money?

Key term

What is discounting?

Key term

What is a discount factor?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What is the time value of money?

    Model answer

    The time value of money is the principle that a sum received today is worth more than the same sum received later. Money held now can earn interest, and inflation erodes what a future sum will buy.

  2. 2

    What is discounting?

    Model answer

    Discounting converts a future cash flow into its value in today's money. Each future amount is multiplied by a discount factor. The factor falls as the year gets further away.

  3. 3

    What is a discount factor?

    Model answer

    A discount factor is a decimal, less than one, that converts a future sum to its present value. Factors are read from a table for a chosen rate of return and are provided in an examination.

  4. 4

    What is net present value?

    Model answer

    Net present value is the total of a project's discounted cash inflows less the initial outlay. A positive figure means the project earns more than the discount rate applied.

  5. 5

    A project costs £100,000 now and returns £50,000 in year one and £50,000 in year two. At discount factors of 0.909 and 0.826, calculate the present value of the inflows.

    Model answer

    Year one gives £50,000 multiplied by 0.909, which is £45,450. Year two gives £50,000 multiplied by 0.826, which is £41,300. The present value of the inflows is £86,750.

  6. 6

    That project cost £100,000 and its inflows have a present value of £86,750. Calculate the net present value and say what it means.

    Model answer

    Net present value equals £86,750 less £100,000, which is negative £13,250. The project fails to earn the required rate of return and the analysis rejects it.

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