Why are changes to non-current assets and liabilities not included when calculating LFCF or UFCF?

So the formula I've been taught for: UFCF = EBIAT + D&A - CapEx + changes to NWC LFCF = NI + D&A - CapEx + changes to NWC

However, when you actually build out a cashflow statement and get to ending cashflows for the period, you would also include non-current assets and liabilities for Cashflow from Operations. Why isn't this included in computing unlevered free cash flow and levered free cashflow for that matter? Don't these line items both affect FCF? Further, is LFCF different from ending cashflow that is computed on the C/F statement? Seems to me starting point for both is NI as that already takes into account interest expenses paid out...

TLDR: why choose specific line items from the cashflow statement as opposed to analyzing all of the line items for each section (operations, financing, investing)?

1 Comments
 

Possimus dignissimos nemo qui inventore reiciendis. Deleniti optio sed eos voluptatem placeat voluptatem alias. Possimus illo quod nobis laudantium molestiae.

Asperiores dignissimos sed blanditiis ut iusto voluptatum. Corporis a quidem quis excepturi earum. Alias officia rerum et temporibus dignissimos debitis. Velit veniam quia voluptates tempora. Aut consectetur enim consequatur numquam. Magni natus natus consequatur id.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $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
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
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...”