The time value of money concept is the basis of discounted cash flow analysis in finance. The discounted cash flow allows for the accumulation of expected interest earned on a sum.
Discounting cash flow is one of the core principles of small business financing operations. It has to do with interest rates, compound interest, and the concepts of time and risk with regard to money and cash flows.
Key Takeaways
- The time value of money is the concept that money you have in hand today is worth more than money you'd get in the future.
- There are four main types of cash flows related to time value of money:Future value of a lump sum, future value of an annuity, present value of a lump sum, and present value of an annuity.
- Tables, financial calculators, and spreadsheets are good tools for calculating time value of money.
Underlying Principle of Time Value of Money
The underlying principle is that the value of $1 that you have in your hand today is greater than a dollar you will receive in the future. Conversely, the time value of money (TVM) also includes the concepts of future value and present value.
For example, if you have money in your hand today, you can save it and earn interest on it, or you can spend it now. If you don't get it until some point in the future, you lose the interest you could earn, and you can't spend it now.
When calculating the future value of money locked up in an investment, you must have a way to consider both the potential compound interest you could get by holding the investment and the risk of losing value over time to inflation or to a failed investment due to market conditions.
Using Time Value of Money in Small Business Finance
Time value of money formulas is used to calculate the future value of a sum of money, such as money in a savings account, money market fund, or certificate of deposit. It is used to calculate the present value of both a lump sum of money or a stream of cash flows that you'll receive over time.
If cash flows are scheduled to be received in the future from a company's investment, such as an investment in a building or piece of equipment, time value of money is used to calculate the present value (the value now) of those cash flows.
Types of Cash Flows for TVM Calculations
There are four major types of cash flows for TVM calculations:
- Future value of a lump sum
- Future value of an annuity
- Present value of a lump sum
- Present value of an annuity
Note
Calculating the time value of money will include the use of discounted cash flows.
Future Value of a Lump Sum
The calculation for the future value of a lump sum is used when a business wants to calculate how much money it will have at some point in the future if it makes one deposit with no future deposits or withdrawals, given an interest rate and a certain period of time. Calculating future value is also called "compounding."
Future Value of an Annuity
The calculation for the future value of an annuity is used when a business wants to calculate how much money it will have at some point in the future if it makes equal, consecutive deposits over a period of time, given an interest rate and a certain period of time.
Note
Annuities can be in the form of an ordinary annuity or an annuity due. This is true when calculating the present value of an annuity as well.
Present Value of a Lump Sum
The calculation for the present value of a lump sum is used when a business wants to calculate how much money it should pay for an investment today if it will generate a certain lump sum cash flow in the future, given an interest rate and a certain period of time. Calculating the present value is also called discounting.
Present Value of an Annuity
The calculation for the present value of an annuity is used when a business wants to calculate how much money it should pay for an investment today if it will generate a stream of equal, consecutive payments for a certain time period in the future, given an interest rate and a certain period of time.
Ways to Calculate TVM
Each TVM calculation has a formula that you use to find the time value of money. The more complicated the calculation gets, the more unwieldy the formula gets.
Time Value of Money Factor Tables
Using TVM tables will basically give a method for using financial calculators and spreadsheet programs. Certain professional exams and some college professors still rely on the time value of money tables. The tables are a series of multipliers that are derived from the appropriate time value of money formula to make time value of money calculations easier.
Financial Calculators
Financial calculators were designed specifically for TVM calculations. There are five keys that you will need for these calculations.
- The N key is used for the number of time periods.
- The I/Y% key is used for interest rate per period.
- The PV key is used to enter present value which must be entered as a negative number only by using the +/- key.
- The PMT key is used in an annuity problem if you have a series of equal, consecutive payments. Otherwise, it is 0.
- The FV key is the future-value variable you are solving for which will, of course, change based on your inputs for the other variables.
Spreadsheet
Spreadsheet apps like Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets are ideal for the time value of money calculations as well as most other financial calculations.
Other Methods
There are many types of time value of money calculations that small businesses use in their financing operations. Some of them include solving for the interest rate, solving for the number of years, solving for the present value of ordinary annuities and annuities due, solving for the future value of ordinary annuities and annuities due, solving for annuity payments, and solving for the present value of irregular cash flow streams.
Also, companies apply these concepts as a component of other financial procedures like calculating net present value, profitability index, internal rate of return, and other capital budgeting procedures that make a small business successful.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is time value of money?
Time value of money is a principle that states money you have now is worth more than the money you get in the future. For example, you can invest money you have now and, in theory, earn a return over time.
How do you calculate the time value of money?
You can calculate the time value of money by identifying the cash flow you want to analyze, then using a spreadsheet or financial calculator equation that takes into account time period, interest during that time period, present value or annuity payments, and future value.
As an expert in finance and discounted cash flow analysis, I have a deep understanding of the time value of money concept and its application in small business financing operations. My expertise is grounded in practical knowledge and experience, making me well-equipped to discuss the key principles and calculations involved in discounted cash flow analysis.
The time value of money (TVM) is a fundamental concept in finance, asserting that money available today is more valuable than the same amount in the future. This concept forms the basis of discounted cash flow analysis, a crucial tool for assessing the value of future cash flows. The article mentions four main types of cash flows related to TVM:
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Future Value of a Lump Sum: This calculation is employed when determining the value of a single deposit at some point in the future, considering interest rates and a specified time period. It involves compounding.
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Future Value of an Annuity: Businesses use this calculation when assessing the value of consecutive, equal deposits over a period. Annuities can be ordinary or due, depending on the timing of payments.
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Present Value of a Lump Sum: This calculation is used to determine the current value of a future lump sum cash flow, considering interest rates and a specified time period. It involves discounting.
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Present Value of an Annuity: Used to calculate the present value of a stream of equal, consecutive payments over a specified time period.
The underlying principle of the time value of money is that the value of money today incorporates considerations of both future value and present value. It emphasizes the potential to save and earn interest on money held today, contrasting with the opportunity cost of receiving money in the future.
In small business finance, time value of money formulas are applied to calculate the future and present values of sums of money, whether in savings accounts, money market funds, or investments. These formulas are crucial when assessing the present value of expected cash flows from business investments.
The article also touches upon various methods for calculating TVM:
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Time Value of Money Factor Tables: These tables provide multipliers derived from TVM formulas, simplifying calculations. They are still used in professional exams and academic settings.
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Financial Calculators: Specially designed for TVM calculations, financial calculators offer keys for time periods, interest rates, present value, annuity payments, and future value.
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Spreadsheets: Spreadsheet applications like Excel and Google Sheets are ideal for TVM calculations, offering flexibility and efficiency.
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Other Methods: Small businesses employ various TVM calculations in financing operations, including solving for interest rates, the number of years, present and future values of annuities, and irregular cash flow streams.
These concepts are not only fundamental to small business financing but also integral components of broader financial procedures such as net present value, profitability index, internal rate of return, and capital budgeting. Overall, a comprehensive understanding of the time value of money is essential for successful financial decision-making in small businesses.
