Net Present Value (NPV)

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What is Net Present Value? Definition

The Net Present Value (NPV) of an investment (project) is the difference between the sum of the discounted cash flows which are expected from the investment, and the amount which is initially invested. It is a traditional valuation method (often for a project) used in the Discounted Cash Flow measurement methodology, whereby the following steps are undertaken:

Steps in the calculation of Net Present Value

1. Calculation of expected free cash flows (often per per year) that result out of the investment
2. Subtract / discount for the cost of capital (an interest rate to adjust for time and risk)

The intermediate result is called: Present Value.

3. Subtract the initial investments

The end result is called: Net Present Value.

Therefore NPV is an amount that expresses how much value an investment will result in. This is done by measuring all cash flows over time back towards the current point in present time.

If the NPV method results in a positive amount, the project should be undertaken.

Limitations of Net Present Value

• Although NPV measurement is widely used for making investment decisions, a disadvantage of NPV is that it does not account for flexibility / uncertainty after the project decision. See Real Options for more information.
• Also NPV is unable to deal with intangible benefits. This inability decreases its usefulness for strategic issues and projects. See IC Rating for more information.

Book: S. David Young, Stephen F. O'Byrne - EVA and Value-Based Management: A Practical Guide..

Book: Aswath Damodaran - Investment Valuation: Tools and Techniques for Determining the ..

Book: James R. Hitchner - Financial Valuation: Applications and Models

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Best Practices The best, top-rated topics about Net Present Value (NPV). Here you will find the most valuable ideas and practical suggestions. 🥇 Re-evaluating an investment decision Question: I am re-evaluating an investment decision from 2004 - - where the initial investment was made. If I wanted to look at the investment today would I need to take the future value of the past C... 43   6 comments 🥈 Operating Cash Flows What is the NPV of a project that has cost of 52,125 and net cash flows of 12,000 per year for 8 years with a cost of capital of 12 percent?... 33   5 comments 🥉 Does the Net Present Value (NPV) calculation uses cash inflows or profits? Does the NPV calculation uses cash inflows or profits? Should I use the revenue generated by the project or the profit?... 20   1 comments Choosing between Investments Using a Comparison of NPVs If I have 2 investments and I compare the NPV of both. Which one I prefer? With the biggest NPV?... 19   2 comments More Complex NPV Comparison: Interrelated Projects How would I compare 3 projects - two have an NPV = $500,000 (over 9 years mixed stream of inflows and 20 years annuity, respectively) and one which is a lump of $490,000 cash right now? ... 16   1 comments

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