DCF- Free Cash Flow to Firm/Equity HELP

Hi guys , just want to make sure a few facts straight here,

1, FCFF(Free Cash Flow to Firm) also called Unlevered FCF, FCFE(free cash flow to Equity) also called Levered FCF? 2, FCFF discounted by WACC ( cost of equity is calculated using unlevered Beta)=Enterprise Value FCFE discounted by Cost of Equity (calculated using levered beta)=equity value So, Enterprise Value- Mrkt value of Debt=Equity Value. this relationship should hold theoretically , Correct? In what circumstances they do not hold?what am i missing if any?

Thanks very much in advance!

6 Comments
 

1) Yes 2) The beta is levered (The beta does not change whether or not you use unlevered or levered FCF)

Enterprise Value = MVE (Equity Value) + Net Debt + Preferred Stock + Minority Interest - Cash

Someone correct me if I'm wrong on statement #2.

-- "Those who say don't know, and those who know don't say."
 
Best Response

EV = market value of equity (common & preferred) + (market value of debt - cash) [also known as net debt]

FCFF discounted at WACC does NOT use unlevered beta, the cash flows are unlevered (i.e. calculated starting at EBIT(1-T) rather than NI), but the beta used in the discount rate is not. The appropriate WACC will use the company's target leverage going forward.

However,

If you were to use an APV method, the discount rate would use the unlevered beta. The unlevered cash flows would then be discounted at this rate, while the tax savings associated with leverage each year would be discounted at Rd.

This will yield a slightly different (but theoretically more accurate) valuation than WACC.

 

Voluptas non omnis mollitia harum commodi dolorem. Expedita est delectus molestiae voluptas possimus quae laboriosam. Rerum qui voluptatem nihil dolores. Distinctio dolor sit minima fugiat quia. Fuga eum minus sed porro quam.

Est culpa sequi id earum quaerat. Sint maiores rerum quibusdam amet dolore quia debitis eveniet.

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
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
9
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
10
numi's picture
numi
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...”