Terminal value discounting

Hi guys, I have been doing some preps on the DCM, and can't rub my head around why TV is discounted a year less than the year we calculate it in. So the PV formula for terminal value in year 5 would be: FCF*(1+g)/(WACC-g) and then multiplied by discounted factor of 1/(1+wacc)^5. So in essence, first formula puts FCF to year 6 (by multiplying FCF with 1+g), then in my opinion that makes it TV in year 6 (once divided by (wacc-g)), but then that TV for year 6 is multiplied with discount factor for year 5. So, why would you multiply FCF by 1+g to get them to year 6, but only discount for 5 years? Any insight here much appreciated :) Thanks guys

2 Comments
 

The present value (i.e., the value in time period 0) of a growing perpetuity is calculated as:

PV = cash flow in year 1 / (discount rate - growth rate)

so if you want the value of the terminal value in year 5, you have to use the year 6 cash flow in the numerator. Once you have the result of the formula above, you discount back to the present using 5 years. 

 
Most Helpful

Laudantium voluptatem vero nihil consequatur quod dolorum. A quos sed blanditiis sit dolore rem minima. Et corporis ut ea nesciunt sed. Tempore sed totam rerum mollitia dolorum ex at facere.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.3%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.8%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.3%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.8%
  • JPMorgan No 97.3%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (51) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (26) $182
  • Intern/Summer Associate (14) $159
  • 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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”