Levered free cash flow (LFCF) is a critical financial metric used by companies, analysts, and investors to assess the actual cash a company generates after meeting its financial obligations, such as debt payments. The term often comes up in discussions about the overall health of a business, as it provides insight into how much free cash flow a company has available after covering mandatory expenses like interest payments, debt repayments, and operating costs. In this article, we’ll explore what is levered free cash flow, how to calculate it, and the difference between levered and unlevered free cash flow. We’ll also look into why levered free cash flow is so important for business valuation and financial planning.
What is Levered Free Cash Flow?
Before diving into more complex analyses, it’s essential to understand the basics. What is levered free cash flow? Levered free cash flow refers to the cash a company has left after fulfilling its debt obligations, including interest payments and principal repayments. It represents the amount of cash available to equity holders—shareholders, investors, and owners—after meeting all financial obligations. Companies with positive levered free cash flow have the flexibility to reinvest in their business, distribute dividends to shareholders, or pay off more debt, while companies with negative levered free cash flow may struggle to meet these demands.
How to Calculate Levered Free Cash Flow
The calculation of levered free cash flow is relatively straightforward, yet it requires attention to the details of a company’s financial statements. What is levered free cash flow calculation? The formula to calculate levered free cash flow is:
Levered Free Cash Flow=Net Income+Depreciation and Amortization−Change in Net Working Capital−Capital Expenditures−Debt Payments\text{Levered Free Cash Flow} = \text{Net Income} + \text{Depreciation and Amortization} – \text{Change in Net Working Capital} – \text{Capital Expenditures} – \text{Debt Payments}Levered Free Cash Flow=Net Income+Depreciation and Amortization−Change in Net Working Capital−Capital Expenditures−Debt Payments
In this formula, net income is the company’s profit after taxes. Depreciation and amortization are non-cash expenses, meaning they reduce taxable income but do not impact cash flow. The change in net working capital reflects the cash tied up in a company’s operations, such as accounts receivable and payable. Capital expenditures represent investments in fixed assets like property or equipment, while debt payments are the company’s financial obligations to lenders.
Understanding how to calculate levered free cash flow helps analysts assess how much cash a business has left over after covering its necessary expenses. The formula highlights the connection between profitability, debt obligations, and cash flow management. A company may be profitable on paper but could still face financial difficulties if its levered free cash flow is negative.
Levered vs. Unlevered Free Cash Flow: What’s the Difference?
A common question arises when discussing levered free cash flow vs. unlevered free cash flow: what’s the difference? While levered free cash flow accounts for the company’s debt payments, unlevered free cash flow (UFCF) ignores these payments. Unlevered free cash flow represents the cash available before taking into account any financial obligations related to debt.
The formula for unlevered free cash flow is simpler because it excludes interest and debt payments:
Unlevered Free Cash Flow=EBIT×(1−Tax Rate)+Depreciation and Amortization−Change in Net Working Capital−Capital Expenditures\text{Unlevered Free Cash Flow} = \text{EBIT} \times (1 – \text{Tax Rate}) + \text{Depreciation and Amortization} – \text{Change in Net Working Capital} – \text{Capital Expenditures}Unlevered Free Cash Flow=EBIT×(1−Tax Rate)+Depreciation and Amortization−Change in Net Working Capital−Capital Expenditures
This distinction is important in financial modeling, particularly in discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis, where unlevered free cash flow is often used to assess the company’s overall enterprise value. Levered free cash flow, on the other hand, is more useful for determining the cash available to equity holders after debt obligations are paid, making it a more relevant metric for shareholders and investors looking to understand the company’s cash flow to equity.
Importance of Levered Free Cash Flow in Financial Health
A company’s levered free cash flow provides a snapshot of its financial health. A positive LFCF signals that the company can cover its debt obligations and still have cash left over for other purposes, such as paying dividends, reinvesting in the business, or reducing debt. On the other hand, a negative levered free cash flow indicates that the company is spending more on its financial obligations than it is generating in cash, which can lead to financial distress if not managed properly.
When evaluating a company’s financial health, it’s essential to track its levered free cash flow over time. A consistent trend of positive LFCF suggests a company is managing its debt and expenses well, while negative LFCF could be a red flag, particularly if it continues over multiple reporting periods. Cash flow is an important measure of a company’s ability to sustain its operations and meet its debt obligations, which is crucial for long-term viability.
Levered Free Cash Flow in Discounted Cash Flow Models
In valuation models, particularly the levered DCF model, levered free cash flow plays a central role in determining the equity value of a company. The levered DCF model discounts the expected future levered free cash flows back to their present value to estimate the worth of a company from an equity holder’s perspective.
One of the main differences between using levered versus unlevered free cash flow in a DCF model lies in the discount rate. When calculating levered free cash flow, the discount rate used is the cost of equity, as the cash flows pertain to equity holders. Conversely, unlevered DCF models use the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) because the cash flows are available to all capital providers, including both debt holders and equity holders.
Levered Free Cash Flow Formula in Action
The levered free cash flow formula offers invaluable insight into the sustainability of a company’s business model. By applying the formula, businesses can better understand their cash position and adjust their strategies accordingly. Whether through refinancing debt, adjusting capital expenditures, or improving working capital management, knowing what is levered free cash flow and applying it correctly can significantly impact a company’s ability to thrive in competitive markets.
For example, a company generating significant cash flow but also carrying substantial debt may still present a strong investment opportunity if its levered free cash flow remains consistently positive. In contrast, businesses with excessive debt may struggle to generate enough free cash flow to maintain operations, leading investors to reconsider their exposure to that company.
Myth Busting: Common Misconceptions About Levered Free Cash Flow
When discussing financial metrics like levered free cash flow (LFCF), several myths often cloud the understanding of this critical concept. These misconceptions can lead to poor financial analysis or inaccurate valuations. In this segment, we’ll clarify five common myths about levered free cash flow and related concepts like unlevered free cash flow and cash flow metrics.
Myth 1: Levered Free Cash Flow Measures Total Company Performance
Some believe that levered free cash flow measures the overall performance of a company, including both its debt and equity holders. This is incorrect. Levered free cash flow doesn’t reflect the company’s total cash performance but rather the cash flow available to pay equity holders after all debt obligations have been met. This means LFCF is specific to what remains for shareholders after interest and debt payments.
In contrast, unlevered free cash flow provides a clearer picture of the company’s operational performance because it doesn’t account for the financial structure. The focus of levered fcf is more on what equity holders can expect, rather than the overall financial health of the company.
Myth 2: Negative Levered Free Cash Flow Isn’t Always Bad
Another misconception is that a negative LFCF isn’t necessarily a red flag. While it is true that some companies can survive short-term periods of negative levered free cash flow—especially if they are heavily investing in growth—a consistently negative levered free cash flow often indicates that the company is unable to meet its debt obligations from its cash generation. This signals deeper financial issues and poses risks for equity investors. Tracking levered free cash flow consistently helps determine whether the company can recover or if it faces long-term financial challenges.
Myth 3: Free Cash Flow to Equity Includes All Cash
Some investors incorrectly assume that “free cash flow to equity” includes all available cash a business generates. In reality, it’s important to note that free cash flow to equity only represents the cash flow available to equity holders after paying off financial obligations. This means free cash flow doesn’t include funds needed for mandatory debt payments, which can sometimes be significant. Therefore, while FCFE is an important metric, it is not synonymous with total cash availability.
Myth 4: Unlevered Free Cash Flow Only Matters to Debt Holders
Another myth is that unlevered fcf is only important for debt holders and irrelevant to equity investors. In fact, unlevered and levered free cash flow metrics both serve critical purposes in financial analysis. While unlevered free cash flow ignores debt payments and focuses on the company’s ability to generate cash from its operations, it is a key metric for understanding the company’s core profitability and operational efficiency. It also helps in valuing the overall enterprise before considering capital structure.
Myth 5: Free Cash Flow Yield Shows the Entire Cash Generation Picture
The free cash flow yield is often viewed as a definitive metric for a company’s cash-generating capabilities. However, this metric can sometimes be misleading if it doesn’t take into account the company’s debt obligations. While free cash flow yield is useful for assessing return relative to price or market capitalization, it’s important to recognize that cash flow looks different depending on whether the analysis focuses on levered or unlevered free cash flow. The real cash generation power of a company includes both its ability to handle debt (LFCF) and its operational efficiency (UFCF).
Understanding the nuances between levered or unlevered free cash flow, the company’s ability to generate cash flow, and how each metric is used helps avoid common misconceptions. Whether you’re analyzing cash flow to firm or focusing on free cash flow includes debt payments, recognizing the role of both LFCF and UFCF will provide more accurate insights into a company’s financial health.
Expert Comment by Dr. Michael Harrington, Renowned Financial Analyst
“Understanding the amount of cash a business generates is vital for evaluating its long-term viability. One critical metric, ‘free cash flow,’ not only measures the cash a company produces but also offers insights into its operational health. However, it’s essential to remember that cash flow is a measure of liquidity, while free cash flow to equity specifically focuses on what’s left for shareholders after debts. Importantly, free cash flow does not include certain cash outflows like interest payments or taxes, making it a more accurate reflection of a company’s profitability. Free cash flow is also a tool to gauge how much remaining cash is available for investments or dividends. For investors, free cash flow can also highlight potential growth opportunities, as companies with strong free cash flows are better positioned to reinvest in their operations or return value to shareholders.”
Future Implications
As financial models continue to evolve, the distinction between levered cash flow and unlevered cash flow will become even more crucial in understanding a company’s sustainability. With increasing complexity in capital investments and funding strategies, businesses will need more precise tools to project future operating cash flow. As cash flow is the amount of liquidity a business needs to stay afloat, analyzing the cash flow statement to track both levered and unlevered cash flow will become more sophisticated. The formula and calculation of free cash flow to equity will likely evolve to incorporate more variables as businesses diversify their revenue streams. Since free cash flow is important in predicting a company’s ability to survive until its cash flow turns positive, the development of advanced forecasting models that highlight the gross cash amount will play a critical role. These trends will influence how free cash flow is considered in long-term business strategies and valuations.
Conclusion: Why Levered Free Cash Flow Matters
In the world of corporate finance, understanding what is levered free cash flow is critical for assessing a company’s true cash-generating ability. The metric sheds light on the actual cash available after accounting for debt-related payments, which is particularly important for investors and equity holders. By distinguishing between levered and unlevered free cash flows, companies can make better strategic decisions about debt management, reinvestment, and shareholder value creation.
Whether you’re an investor looking to gauge a company’s long-term viability or a financial analyst tasked with building models, leveraging the levered free cash flow formula will provide you with the insights necessary to evaluate a company’s financial stability and profitability. Keeping a close eye on this metric ensures that businesses remain agile, prepared, and resilient in the face of financial obligations.