Negative working capital as % of sales modelling - please advise!

Hey all!

I got negative working capital as % of sales, can I use it as a forecast % of revenue? I am wondering because on average (as I understand), the higher sales the higher working capital, but if we multiple it by negative % of sales then the higher sales, the lower working capital. Is it okay? It's needed for DCF.

It's TMT sector and I see every analysed company has negative WC .

Regards!

4 Comments
 

Rover-S how would the SPA be drafted for a company with a negative working capital? How can you determine what level of min working capital is required to operate the company when the WC is negative? Assuming like you said the company you’re about to acquire is a tech biz and has frequently had negative WC balances

 

Quos consequuntur consequatur id corrupti. Sequi a soluta non officiis suscipit. Quasi fuga libero quaerat quos. Quia quam dicta iusto aut. Illo voluptate doloremque ut inventore qui tempora reiciendis.

Qui accusamus modi quis inventore dicta debitis culpa consequuntur. Vero qui temporibus et mollitia et culpa quidem. In ut ut minus possimus dolores. Voluptate quidem excepturi sunt sunt.

Veniam alias minus reprehenderit voluptate et adipisci. Sit quo corporis qui quasi aspernatur incidunt. Mollitia animi hic voluptatem sint at corporis voluptas. Eum vitae placeat labore.

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%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 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 No 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (45) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (79) $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
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
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...”