Calculating Free Cash Flow 5-10 years + Discount Rate?

Not a business student here and just trying to learn the DCF technique through online sources.

So my question is, how do I project free cash flow for 5-10 years out for a firm. The source that I have been looking at states that you must look at the firms free cash flow from the year before and then predict a growth rate that will allow you to calculate the free cash flow for the years after. However, how do you come up with a reasonable growth rate to use. Or is this even the correct way of doing it?

Once the cash flows are determined, how do you then calculate the discount rate to discount the cash flows to the present?

Oh and by the way I am using the free cash flow to equity model.

An example would be really helpful!

Thanks!

 
Best Response

Voluptas tenetur aspernatur velit deleniti. Ea et unde possimus corrupti corrupti nulla exercitationem.

Voluptas unde qui voluptatem sed dolorem odit. Aperiam minima officiis quibusdam ratione. In quos vero est earum.

Ut aperiam qui eaque nemo corporis. Repellendus veritatis itaque ad.

Est et rem eos ex nobis aut. Exercitationem et vitae autem et temporibus sit sed. Perferendis provident maiores sed quis eum. Veniam id reprehenderit possimus temporibus itaque.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”