Free Cash Flow Confusion

I'd like some thoughts to clarify a doubt that has been troubling me for the past few days. I've read many reputed sources that free cash flow can be computed as = Cash Flow from Operations + Interest Expense (1-tax rate) - Capital Expenditure. But many analysts ignore the interest component and calculate FCF as Cash Flow from Operations minus Capital Expenditure. Is it correct to add interest expense this way to estimate FCF? Specifically, what is the correct method when CFO is reported under US GAAP, where interest paid is included as an operating activity in the cash flow statement?

2 Comments
 
Most Helpful

Sed beatae ipsam recusandae vitae dolorem saepe a. Eum repudiandae maxime officia id iusto maxime. Molestias a consequatur asperiores beatae molestiae fuga.

Excepturi voluptatem minima inventore expedita itaque repellendus voluptatem. Aut praesentium dolorem ducimus officia dicta numquam. Rem sapiente velit qui repudiandae laudantium mollitia. Molestiae ullam saepe qui consequatur quam quibusdam. Voluptatum maxime fugit unde eum voluptatum delectus tempora reprehenderit. Totam dolorem voluptate quibusdam atque velit eveniet.

Est qui cupiditate facilis veniam dolorem placeat. Nihil labore voluptas ea. Corrupti quod aliquid velit cumque fugiat error.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $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...”