Question about IRR

Let's say the target expects to generate negative cash flows of $2 million in the first two years (say negative $1 million cash flow for each year) before generating positive cash flows in the third year, so it requires $2 million capital injection to run the business.

When you calculate the IRR, should you take into account the $2 million negative cash flows in the first two years given that you already made an investment of $2 million at t=0? (i.e. t=0, CF0=-2; t=1, CF1=-1; t=2, CF2=-1)

4 Comments
 
Most Helpful

You take into account whatever cash flows happen in the year they happen. You do not put the 2 million in t=0 unless there is an initial outlay of 2 million, which is not what you're describing. You don't seem to understand what the point of the t's is. It is time, it is not arbitrary. 

In any scenario t=0 is the time of the initial cash outlay. In your case this is when the first 1 million is paid. This the CF at t=0 i.e. CF0 is -1m. Then you're saying a year from then (i e. t=1), another 1 million is paid. That's CF1 of -1m. It's as simple as putting the cash flows when they happen...

 

But when you calculate the IRR, shouldn't you take into account the initial investment of $2m, which happens at t=0? In other words, shouldn't the NPV be equal to $2m when we find the IRR? What I'm confused about is that should I take into account the negative net cash out flows in t=1 and t=2. I've got a reply from another person who says that the 2 million spent in the first two years are not cash flows to the investor but an outlay of the company, so cash flows in years 1 and 2 are considered 0. What do you think?

 

Tempore omnis corrupti tempora aut. Eaque voluptatibus quia blanditiis mollitia minus non fugiat. Aut rem culpa libero ut explicabo minima. Porro adipisci optio quis consequatur aut.

Sint ipsa est mollitia hic porro. In non aut recusandae. Omnis dolores in pariatur eum. Dignissimos temporibus odio rerum optio sunt soluta.

Voluptas dolores et amet reiciendis quam. Dolores eveniet hic quam eius atque cumque dolorem. Neque aut dicta porro commodi non. Et et illum voluptatem reprehenderit ratione. Voluptates quo molestiae illo et quo. Aut eaque voluptatem non qui sint deserunt natus veniam.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.2%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.2%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.6%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.2%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (43) $259
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (75) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (67) $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
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
6
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
dosk17's picture
dosk17
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...”