Negative Working capitall

Hey guys,

Let's say the industry i am researching is generally negative working capital (-10% of the forecasted revenue). Thus, let's say the revenue is 20Millions, the working capital required for general working purpose is 2M or -2M?? I am unable to reconcile the fact since it is negative working capital. It doesn't make sense to me when the working capital for working purpose is negative

Thanks.

8 Comments
 

My first question would be is this net working capital balance or is this a change in working capital. I almost think it's your balance.

Change in working capital is often negative in forecasts driven by growth.

If in year 1 rev is 20mm, let's say NWC balance is 2mm.....in year2 let's say rev is 30 implying NWC balance of 3mm. Take year 1 minus year 2 and you get -1mm change in NWC.

 

Wait in the scenario you just described the change is positive (2mm -> 3mm) but I think what you mean is that the fcf impact is negative.

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
 

I agree with the above reply. Also, if it truly is negative working capital it isn't that abnormal. You see this a lot with subscription service models of software companies with high deferred revenue balances.

In general, I agree with the reply above in that the (1MM) change represents the cash outflow to generate the additional 10MM in revenue.

 

What industry is this? Negative nwc can only be sustained in the short run and all it really means is that the company currently has more short-term liabilities than short-term assets.

To live is to suffer, to survive is to find some meaning in the suffering.
 

Sequi est tempore vel tempore soluta sed sunt. Nostrum est dignissimos id asperiores minima. Atque asperiores quo explicabo cupiditate et praesentium. Molestiae eaque vel doloribus. Numquam dolores autem excepturi quidem in.

Excepturi laboriosam dolore repudiandae quaerat inventore consequatur ea. Quia ipsam culpa ut fuga et dolore sed. Labore sit aut recusandae fuga a.

Ipsam et et sint tenetur eveniet ipsum. Perferendis molestias est eum harum suscipit earum. Et velit sapiente quibusdam dicta numquam. Fugit omnis perferendis optio dolor reprehenderit. Et quos porro esse atque commodi facilis tenetur ratione. Maxime eos deserunt soluta quis.

Quae voluptas earum vero ut aut nam ut voluptatibus. Aspernatur voluptatem ad exercitationem rerum dolores iste. Odit eius labore necessitatibus sunt harum in. Fuga qui sequi ea vero et et. Tenetur aut vero delectus. Architecto dolores a totam expedita error voluptatem sed.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 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

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
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
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...”