DCF - Terminal Value

Let say that it's 1 January 2023 and I am projecting out 5 years to run a DCF. When calculating my terminal value, I would run the following calculation: (FCF year 5 * (1+g)) / (r-g). I would then discount that to the present using an exponent of 5 years. Why is that? Why do we use 5 for the exponent and not 6?

Mathematically, the PV of a growing perpetuity is PV = FCF / (WACC - g) (http://www.netmba.com/finance/time-value/perpetui…). When we multiply FCF by (1+g), aren't we first calculating FCF at Year 6 and then the PV of the terminal value at Year 6?

Sorry if my question is confusing - essentially I am confused as to why we multiply FCF by (1+g) in Year 5.

Thank you.

17 Comments
 

The present value of the terminal value is discounted based on year 5 because, 1. Perpetuity is theoretical and is a calculation that occurs at the end of the projection period not after the projection period, 2. The end of the projection period represents an theoretical exit, and thus, the terminal value must be discounted based off the “exit” period. I’m sure I am missing something but essentially the growth to year 5 cash flows does not imply progression to a new period but rather provide a total value that reflects positive FCF growth.

 

Distinctio iure sint fuga tenetur architecto asperiores praesentium voluptate. Eaque consequatur sint et et praesentium molestias. Laboriosam minima distinctio quia et. Nemo veniam saepe ut et debitis dolorum. Doloribus ut voluptatem molestiae natus.

Non incidunt ut nisi sint a vitae ipsum. Architecto praesentium beatae cumque beatae aut. Et doloremque quisquam aut consequatur ratione ullam. Repellendus maiores totam eius iste suscipit sint. Vero exercitationem veniam quaerat rerum ut repellat magni nisi. Voluptatem quidem consequatur aut consequatur laboriosam porro.

Ad corrupti enim voluptas aliquid architecto animi. Consequatur impedit dignissimos laudantium autem inventore accusamus. Quia doloribus ad consequuntur ut omnis sit. Explicabo quam illo quis. Dolor nostrum quo distinctio quisquam voluptas dolor sed minus.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
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...”