Model Question: Why cash balances don't accrue interest

Working on a 3-statement for a public stock pitch. The company has a very large cash position on its balance sheet through the forecasted period.

Assuming they have $1,000 in cash, in the form of 3mo T-bills, would I need to record a $50 interest income every year? Because yield is 5%/yr even though not specified by management? Curious bc I haven't done this in the past and wanted to know if it was done in the industry.

3 Comments
 

If you are doing 3FS model then yes you do, in fact this is the most classic source of circularity in a model.

However, most of the times, unless it's company like Apple hoarding shit ton of cash stuck in offshore account, a model may simply assume pay-out of any excess cash or the cash may be needed for operating purpose and hence will not earn interest (or a very small money market interest).

 

Appreciate the help, thx. When you mention circularity, are you suggesting that a mistake usually gets made in this process? 

 
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