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What is Net Present Value? Definition

The Net Present Value (NPV) of an investment (project) is the difference between the sum of the discounted cash flows which are expected from the investment, and the amount which is initially invested. It is a traditional valuation method (often for a project) used in the Discounted Cash Flow measurement methodology, whereby the following steps are undertaken:

Steps in the calculation of Net Present Value

Calculation of expected free cash flows (often per per year) that result out of the investment
Subtract / discount for the cost of capital (an interest rate to adjust for time and risk)

The intermediate result is called: Present Value.

Subtract the initial investments

The end result is called: Net Present Value.

Therefore NPV is an amount that expresses how much value an investment will result in. This is done by measuring all cash flows over time back towards the current point in present time.

If the NPV method results in a positive amount, the project should be undertaken.

Limitations of Net Present Value

Although NPV measurement is widely used for making investment decisions, a disadvantage of NPV is that it does not account for flexibility / uncertainty after the project decision. See Real Options for more information.
Also NPV is unable to deal with intangible benefits. This inability decreases its usefulness for strategic issues and projects. See IC Rating for more information.

Book: S. David Young, Stephen F. O'Byrne - EVA and Value-Based Management: A Practical Guide.. -

Book: Aswath Damodaran - Investment Valuation: Tools and Techniques for Determining the .. -

Book: James R. Hitchner - Financial Valuation: Applications and Models -

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Discussions about Net Present Value (NPV).

	Re-evaluating an investment decision Question: I am re-evaluating an investment decision from 2004 - - where the initial investment was made. If I wanted to (...)

	Operating Cash Flows What is the NPV of a project that has cost of 52,125 and net cash flows of 12,000 per year for 8 years with a cost of ca (...)

	Does the Net Present Value (NPV) calculation uses cash inflows or profits? Does the NPV calculation uses cash inflows or profits? Should I use the revenue generated by the project or the profit? (...)

	Choosing between Investments Using a Comparison of NPVs If I have 2 investments and I compare the NPV of both. Which one I prefer? With the biggest NPV? (...)

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	NPV with a Missing Cash Flow Figure Is is possible to calculate NPV with a missing cash flow figure? E.g. the expected cash flows for a 5 year project at 2% (...)

🔥	NEW NPV with Only Costs & IRR Hi, I have been posed with the problem of trying to calculate an NPV, with only costs provided and an IRR. Additionally, (...)

	NPV for Leased Equipment versus Purchased Equipment Do any of you use NPV for a lease situation? I lease equipment and am often asked about purchase versus lease I do not (...)

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	NPV Cost Avoidance and Savings I evaluating a capital expenditure project where 'stand alone' (location 1) the savings from the investment are low. Due (...)

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