IRR vs. equity return

Hi,

I have a very basic question as I'm preparing for PE interviews - and I am embarrassed to ask people at work. Basically, some sample models I see show equity returns in an LBO model - i.e. using the rate function in excel, the purchase price equity and the exit equity value. This takes into account, obviously, excess cash flow built.

This all makes sense to me - but can someone illuminate how this differs from an IRR (IRR or XIRR function) of the cash flows (e.g. fcf each year which includes debt and interest payments, and selling price at the end)?

I'm sure I'm missing something very clear...I know how to do both but not quite sure why they differ.

Any help appreciated, interview soon. Thanks.

1 Comments
 

Libero voluptas ullam amet tempora. Soluta quod cum asperiores ut qui beatae. Sit unde quasi explicabo qui voluptas blanditiis. Ad sint rerum omnis facere illo vel. Aperiam qui voluptatem voluptatem sunt. Saepe alias ratione quo repellat aliquam.

Veniam velit rerum animi optio tenetur iste accusantium dicta. Autem non excepturi cum dolores minus sed aut amet. In natus cumque doloribus magnam dolor aperiam. Non at et ut numquam officiis est assumenda nostrum. Corrupti laudantium et amet molestiae et.

Et odio alias nemo iure vel quis. In et consequuntur sed error quod quos soluta odit. Tempora provident sit omnis nobis quia debitis qui aut. Et deserunt quo quidem doloribus. Suscipit ex ut et molestias et ullam mollitia nemo.

Facere rerum incidunt eligendi incidunt et ut temporibus ipsam. Reiciendis non omnis vitae. Maxime culpa omnis voluptatem fugiat commodi ut.

Career Advancement Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.2%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.2%

Total Avg Compensation

November 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (236) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (274) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (40) $79
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (357) $61
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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
Jamoldo's picture
Jamoldo
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...”