- Nov 29, 2022
- 3 min read

Understanding EBITDA vs. Cash Flow From Operations (CFO) vs. Free Cash Flow (FCF)

Updated: Mar 4

EBITDA vs. Cash Flow

There are several key metrics used to evaluate a company's financial performance and health. Among these, EBITDA, Cash Flow From Operations (CFO), and Free Cash Flow (FCF) are often mentioned. While they all provide insights into a company's financial situation, each metric serves a different purpose and reveals different aspects of the business. In this guide, we'll delve into the definitions, calculations, and significance of EBITDA, CFO, and FCF to help you better understand their roles in financial analysis.

EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation, and Amortization

EBITDA is a measure of a company's operating performance before accounting for certain non-operating expenses. It's calculated by adding back interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization to net income. EBITDA is often used to assess a company's profitability and operating efficiency, as it focuses solely on core business operations, excluding factors such as capital structure and tax considerations.

Calculation:

EBITDA =Net Income + Interest + Taxes + Depreciation + Amortization

Significance:

EBITDA provides a snapshot of a company's operating profitability and is commonly used in valuation analysis, especially for companies with high levels of capital expenditures or significant non-cash expenses.
It's important to note that EBITDA does not reflect cash flows or consider changes in working capital, making it less suitable for assessing a company's liquidity or ability to generate cash.

Cash Flow From Operations (CFO)

CFO represents the cash generated or used by a company's core operating activities, excluding financing and investing activities. It's a key indicator of a company's ability to generate cash from its primary business operations. CFO is derived from the company's statement of cash flows and reflects changes in working capital, operating expenses, and income taxes.

Calculation:

CFO = Net Income + Depreciation + Amortization + Changes in Working Capital

Significance:

CFO provides insight into a company's ability to generate cash from its day-to-day operations, which is essential for meeting short-term obligations, investing in growth opportunities, and returning value to shareholders through dividends or share buybacks.
Positive CFO indicates that a company's operations are generating more cash than is being used, while negative CFO suggests the opposite.

Free Cash Flow (FCF)

FCF represents the cash available to a company after accounting for capital expenditures required to maintain or expand its asset base. It's a measure of the cash generated by a company that is available to be distributed to shareholders, repaid to lenders, or reinvested in the business.

Calculation:

FCF = CFO − Capital Expenditures

Significance:

FCF reflects a company's ability to generate excess cash flow after accounting for necessary investments in its operations. Positive FCF indicates that a company has cash available for discretionary purposes, such as debt reduction, share repurchases, or strategic acquisitions.
FCF is often considered a key metric in valuation analysis, as it represents the cash available to investors after accounting for the company's operating and investing activities.

In summary, EBITDA, CFO, and FCF are important financial metrics used to assess a company's profitability, cash flow generation, and financial health. While each metric provides valuable insights into different aspects of a company's operations, it's essential to consider them in conjunction with other financial measures and qualitative factors when evaluating investment opportunities or making strategic decisions.

By understanding the definitions, calculations, and significance of EBITDA, CFO, and FCF, investors and business professionals can make more informed assessments of a company's financial performance and position themselves for success in the dynamic world of finance.