Different ways to calculate FCF?

Quick question, and I'm probably missing something stupid here, but I'm working through an example LBO that a friend sent me from one of his MBA courses.

Values are as follows:
EBITDA - 190
D&A - 30
EBIT - 160
CapEx - 29
Change NWC- -40

The model template calculates FCF like this: EBITDA - CapEx - Change NWC - Taxes; which gives 190 - 29 - 40 - 36 = 85. Then it subtracts interest of 69 to give cash available of 15.

This gives a different answer than the "standard" formula from interview guides of EBIT(1-t) + D&A - Change NWC - CapEx; 160 (1-.4) +30 - 40 - 29 = 57.

What's the best way to think about this? Thanks.

5 Comments
 

Thanks for the responses.

Think I found the error, it is pretty dumb as I thought: in the equation it's supposed to be EBT(1-t), not EBIT(1-t), correct? The former gives the same answer as the template, 15, post interest expense.

Looks like the model just does things in a different order and takes out interest expense at the end (tax expense is calculated off of post-interest expense).

I need sleep. Thanks again.

 
lost monkey

Thanks for the responses.

Think I found the error, it is pretty dumb as I thought: in the equation it's supposed to be EBT(1-t), not EBIT(1-t), correct? The former gives the same answer as the template, 15, post interest expense.

Looks like the model just does things in a different order and takes out interest expense at the end (tax expense is calculated off of post-interest expense).

I need sleep. Thanks again.

edit - read quickly and didn't notice you mentioned interest expsne (but for some reason buried it after all the other relevant info was clearly listed)

 
Best Response

Asperiores esse tenetur fugit qui. Sit quos ab ad doloremque id autem. Velit cupiditate enim sed mollitia.

Beatae nemo est vel amet amet odio. Rerum repellendus velit et reiciendis quaerat provident aut. Reiciendis aut quisquam rerum pariatur. Eum reprehenderit quasi esse molestiae rerum excepturi sunt debitis.

Velit veniam deleniti distinctio illo. Tenetur placeat aliquam et necessitatibus ab id voluptate consequatur.

Necessitatibus nam enim sint dolorum dolorem aliquid. Officia dicta non nobis dolorem atque aut cupiditate. Ut vero atque numquam hic quia delectus. Eius reprehenderit enim vero et sapiente quae. Enim est id culpa dolores. Sed vel a quas laudantium tenetur quia.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (65) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
bolo up's picture
bolo up
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...”