Differences Between Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow

The difference between cash flow vs. free cash flow is havoc. One is used to find out how much cash comes into a business and how much cash goes out at the end of a period. Another is used to find out the valuation of the company through a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)Discounted cash flow analysis is a method of analyzing the present value of a company, investment, or cash flow by adjusting future cash flows to the time value of money. This analysis assesses the present fair value of assets, projects, or companies by taking into account many factors such as inflation, risk, and cost of capital, as well as analyzing the company’s future performance.read more method.

Cash flow is much broader in concept. And free cash flowFree Cash FlowFree cash flow is a measure of cash generated by a company after all expenses and loans have been paid, and it is calculated by subtracting capital expenditure from operating cash flow.read more is calculated by using earnings before interest and taxes.

As an investor, you need to know them both. Cash flow will help you see the real picture of an organization. And free cash flow will help you find the value of the stock (or the business) by using the DCF method of valuation.

You are free to use this image on you website, templates, etc., Please provide us with an attribution linkHow to Provide Attribution?Article Link to be HyperlinkedFor eg:Source: Cash Flow vs Free Cash Flow (wallstreetmojo.com)

Cash Flow vs. Free Cash Flow [Infographics]

The differences between cash flow and free cash flow are as follows –

What is Cash Flow?

The cash flow statement is one of the most important statements investors should go through before he ever buys the stock of a company. In the income statement, there’s an opportunity to flatten the profit for the year. But in the cash flow statement, it’s pretty tough to manipulate the numbers.

That’s why, as an investor, your due diligenceDue DiligenceDue diligence is a thorough examination of information and strict adherence to the applicable rules and regulations. It ensures asset protection as well as the avoidance of malpractices and conflicts.read more isn’t complete unless you look at the cash flow statement first.

There are two ways through which you can calculate the net cash flow of the organization – the indirect method and the direct method.

The only difference between direct and indirect method is the calculation of operating activitiesOperating ActivitiesOperating activities generate the majority of the company’s cash flows since they are directly linked to the company’s core business activities such as sales, distribution, and production.read more. So first, we will look at cash flow from operating activities, and then we will look at cash flow from financing activities and cash flow from investing activities.

Cash flow from operating activities

First, we will calculate the cash flow operating activities from the indirect method since this is the most preferred method for an organization to calculate cash flow from operations.

In the indirect method of cash flow analysis, the following things should be kept in mind –

  • First, you need to look at the income statement and pick up “net income” to begin the computation.Then, you would add back all the non-cash expenses like depreciationNon-cash Expenses Like DepreciationDepreciation is a systematic allocation method used to account for the costs of any physical or tangible asset throughout its useful life. Its value indicates how much of an asset’s worth has been utilized. Depreciation enables companies to generate revenue from their assets while only charging a fraction of the cost of the asset in use each year.
  • read more, amortization, etc. As these are not cash expenses, they should be added back.Next, we will look at the sale of the assets. If there’s any loss on the sale of the assets, the amount of loss should be added back, and if there’s any gain on the sale of the assets, the amount of gain should be deducted.Next, if there’s any change in “non-current” assets, we should make the right adjustments.At last, we will make the necessary changes in the current assetsCurrent AssetsCurrent assets refer to those short-term assets which can be efficiently utilized for business operations, sold for immediate cash or liquidated within a year. It comprises inventory, cash, cash equivalents, marketable securities, accounts receivable, etc.read more and in the current liabilities.

Do check out this comprehensive guide to Cash Flow from Operating ActivitiesCash Flow From Operating ActivitiesCash flow from Operations is the first of the three parts of the cash flow statement that shows the cash inflows and outflows from core operating business in an accounting year. Operating Activities includes cash received from Sales, cash expenses paid for direct costs as well as payment is done for funding working capital.read more

Here’s an example to illustrate that –

Cash flow from investing activities

Other than operations, organizations also invest in other assets. That’s why we need to calculate the cash flow from investing activities as well –

  • We need to first add back all the losses incurred on the selling of long term assets.And next, we need to deduct any gains we may have made on the selling of any long term asset.

Do check out this comprehensive guide to Cash Flow from InvestingCash Flow From InvestingCash flow from investing activities refer to the money acquired or spent on the purchase or disposal of the fixed assets (both tangible and intangible) for the business purpose. For instance, the purchase of land and joint venture investment is cash outflow, while equipment sale is a cash inflow.read more

Cash flow from financing activities

In cash flow from financing activities, we will consider the following –

  • Buying back of stocks and borrowing and repaying loans on short term / long term loans should be included in cash flow from financing activities.We will also take dividends paid into the account.

Do check out this comprehensive guide to Cash Flow from FinanceCash Flow From FinanceCash flow from financing activities refers to inflow and the outflow of cash from the financing activities like change in capital from securities like equity or preference shares, issuing debt, debentures or repayment of a debt, payment of dividend or interest on securities.read more

Now, let’s have a look at the example –

Also, check out the Cash Flow Analysis GuideCash Flow Analysis GuideCash flow analysis refers to examining or analyzing the company’s different cash inflows and outflows during the period under consideration from the various activities, including operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities.read more

What is Free Cash Flow?

In this section, we will look at how we can calculate cash flow and also how we use free cash flow in the DCF method.

How to calculate free cash flow?

This is of utmost importance because then only we would under how free cash flow is relevant in calculating the valuation of a business.

Let’s look at the formula first –

Free Cash Flow (FCF) = EBIT * (1 – Tax Rate) + Depreciation – Capital Expenditure – Increase in Net Working Capital / (+) Decrease in Net Working Capital*

*Note: Here, net working capital would be calculatedNet Working Capital Would Be CalculatedThe change in net working capital of a firm from one accounting period to the next is referred to as the change in net working capital. It is calculated to ensure that the firm maintains sufficient working capital in each accounting period so that there is no shortage of funds or that funds do not sit idle in the future.read more by going into the cash flow from operating activities and doing the adjustments regarding current assets and current liabilities.

For further details, please check out this detailed guide on Free Cash Flow to the FirmFree Cash Flow To The FirmFCFF (Free cash flow to firm), or unleveled cash flow, is the cash remaining after depreciation, taxes, and other investment costs are paid from the revenue. It represents the amount of cash flow available to all the funding holders – debt holders, stockholders, preferred stockholders or bondholders.read more.

Now, we will look at an example to illustrate FCFFCFThe cash flow to the firm or equity after paying off all debts and commitments is referred to as free cash flow (FCF). It measures how much cash a firm makes after deducting its needed working capital and capital expenditures (CAPEX).read more.

Company XYZ has the following information –

  • EBIT = $240,000Tax Rate = 33.33%Depreciation = $2400Capital Expenditure = $11,000Increase in Net Working Capital = $6,500

Using the formula above, we get the following result.

  • FCF = $240,000 * (1 – 0.3333) + $2,400 – $11,000 – $6,500FCF = $240,000 * 0.6667 + $2,400 – $11,000 – $6,500FCF = $160,000 + $2,400 – $11,000 – $6,500FCF = $144,900.

How is Free Cash Flow relevant in the computation of valuation under the DCF Method?

Free cash flow (FCF) is calculated so that under the DCF method, we can use FCF. Here’s the formula under the DCF method –

Share Price = ((PV of FCF) + Cash – Debt )/ Shares Outstanding

Here, FCF = Free Cash Flow and PV = Present Value.

Now, we will take an example to illustrate the DCF method.

Company ABC has the following information furnished for us –

  • Free Cash Flow = $150,000Cash = $15,000Debt = $75,000Number of outstanding shares = 40,000WACC = 12%Growth Rate = 4%

We need to calculate the share price using the above information under the DCF method.

Let’s look at the formula under the DCF method once again –

Share Price = ((PV of FCF) + Cash – Debt) / Shares Outstanding

Now we will put the figures from the example in the above formula.

Before that, we need to understand what PV of FCF is.

PV of FCF = FCF / (WACC – Growth Rate)

For more details on the above formula, please have a look at this guide on Terminal Value CalculationTerminal Value CalculationThe terminal value formula helps in estimating the value of a business beyond the explicit forecast period. It includes the value of all cash flows, regardless of duration, and is an important component of the discounted cash flow model (DCF).read more

Where the growth rate isn’t available, we would only use + [Cost of Debt * % of Debt * (1-Tax Rate)]” url=”https://www.wallstreetmojo.com/weighted-average-cost-capital-wacc/”]the weighted average cost of capital”The”The to discount the FCF.

Let’s put the figures now –

  • Share Price = [($150,000 / 0.12 – 0.04) + $15,000 – $75,000] / 40,000Share Price = [($150,000 / 0.08) + $15,000 – $75,000] / 40,000Share Price = [$18, 75,000 + $15,000 – $75,000] / 40,000Share Price = $18, 15,000 / 40,000Share Price = $45.38

Relevance of free cash flow to the investors

Other than using for the DCF method, FCF is also a great measure of the financial performance of a company.

Free cash flow is the cash a company is able to generate after maintaining or expanding the asset base of the company. If one company has more free cash flow, that means it has more liquidity even after maintaining or spending cash on its assets. But it can also mean that the cash is under-utilized and can be invested in the acquisitionAcquisitionAcquisition refers to the strategic move of one company buying another company by acquiring major stakes of the firm. Usually, companies acquire an existing business to share its customer base, operations and market presence. It is one of the popular ways of business expansion.read more of new assets.

That’s why it’s important to look at the holistic picture before trying to interpret the free cash flow of any company.

Key differences – Cash Flow vs. Free Cash Flow

The differences between cash flow vs. free cash flow are as follows –

  • Cash flow is a much broader concept than free cash flow. The usefulness of free cash flow is limited; whereas, the usefulness of cash flow is all-pervasive.The cash flow statement is one of the most important four financial statementsFinancial StatementsFinancial statements are written reports prepared by a company’s management to present the company’s financial affairs over a given period (quarter, six monthly or yearly). These statements, which include the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flows, and Shareholders Equity Statement, must be prepared in accordance with prescribed and standardized accounting standards to ensure uniformity in reporting at all levels.read more in financial accountingFinancial AccountingFinancial accounting refers to bookkeeping, i.e., identifying, classifying, summarizing and recording all the financial transactions in the Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement. It even includes the analysis of these financial statements.read more. Free cash flow, on the other hand, gets calculated with the help of the cash flow statement.The cash flow statement doesn’t only ascertain the operating cash flow. It also pays similar attention to investing and financing activities. Free cash flow, on the other hand, only talks about how much liquidity a company is left with after maintaining or spending on the company’s asset base.Both cash flow and free cash flow is calculated by taking help from the income statement. The indirect method of cash flow starts from Net Income, and the direct method of cash flows starts with Sales of the company. On the other hand, the computation of free cash flow is done by taking EBIT (Earnings before interest & taxes) into account.Without knowing the changes in working capital, free cash flow can’t be calculated. If there’s no change in the working capital, then only capexCapexCapex or Capital Expenditure is the expense of the company’s total purchases of assets during a given period determined by adding the net increase in factory, property, equipment, and depreciation expense during a fiscal year.read more and depreciation will be taken into account. In the case of cash flow, it’s not required to know the changes in working capital if the cash flow from operating activities is calculated using the direct method.The preparation of the cash flow statementCash Flow StatementA Statement of Cash Flow is an accounting document that tracks the incoming and outgoing cash and cash equivalents from a business.read more is very complex and arduous. On the other hand, free cash flow can be calculated easily.

Cash Flow vs. Free Cash Flow (Comparison Table)

Conclusion

Cash flow and free cash flow may seem like similar concepts, but they are completely different.

The basic difference is the way they’re used. One is used to gaze the viability of a business. Another is used to find out the valuation of a business before investing.

As an investor, you need to look at both of them to have a holistic picture of the business. But if you compare cash flow and free cash flow in terms of importance, cash flow analysis should be your first preference. Because after ascertaining the net cash flow from the cash flow statement, you can always calculate free cash flow from there!

Cash Flow vs. Free Cash Flow Video

This article has been a guide to Cash Flow vs. Free Cash Flow. Here we discuss the top difference between cash flow and free cash flow along with infographics and a comparison table. You may also have a look at the following articles –

  • Cash Flow Plans ExampleCash Flow Plans ExampleCash flow plans are those in which an insurance company assesses its income and expenses in order to maintain cash flows and also to keep cash flows above expenses. It can also refer to an individual’s plan to ensure cash liquidity in such a way that they manage their expenses while maintaining a minimum balance.read moreCalculate Incremental Cash FlowCalculate Incremental Cash FlowIncremental cash Flow is the additional cash inflow that a business might receive by acquiring a particular project. In other words, it is basically the resulting increase in cash flow from operations due to the acceptance of new capital investment or a project.read moreExamples of Free Cash Flow FormulaExamples Of Free Cash Flow FormulaFree cash flow is a measure of cash generated by a company after all expenses and loans have been paid, and it is calculated by subtracting capital expenditure from operating cash flow.read moreCompare – Direct vs. Indirect Cash Flow MethodsCompare - Direct Vs. Indirect Cash Flow MethodsChanges in cash receipts and payments are reported in cash flows from operating activities in the direct cash flow method. Changes in assets and liabilities accounts are adjusted in the net income to arrive at cash flows from operating activities in the indirect cash flow method.read more