Discount factor: Difference between revisions

From ACT Wiki
Jump to navigationJump to search
imported>Kmacharla
No edit summary
imported>Doug Williamson
(Spacing, formatting and adding a second illustration to the first definition.)
Line 1: Line 1:
1.
(DF).  
(DF). Strictly, the number less than one which we multiply a future cash flow by, to work out its present value as:
 
'''1.'''
 
Strictly, the number less than one which we multiply a future cash flow by, to work out its present value as:


PV = DF x future cashflow.
PV = DF x future cashflow.


The periodic discount factor is calculated from the periodic yield as:
The periodic discount factor is calculated from the periodic yield as:
Line 8: Line 12:
DF = (1 + periodic yield)<SUP>-1</SUP>
DF = (1 + periodic yield)<SUP>-1</SUP>


Commonly abbreviated as DF(n,r) or DF<SUB>n</SUB>


where n = number of periods, and
Commonly abbreviated as DF(n,r) ''or'' DF<SUB>n</SUB>
 
 
where  
 
n = number of periods, ''and''


r = periodic cost of capital.
r = periodic cost of capital.


For example when the periodic cost of capital (r) = 6% and the number of periods in the total time under review (n) = 2, then:
 
For example when the periodic cost of capital (r) = 6% and the number of periods in the total time under review (n) = 1, then:
 
Discount factor = (1+r)<sup>-n</sup>
Discount factor = (1+r)<sup>-n</sup>
= 1.06<sup>-1</sup>
= '''0.9434'''
The greater the time delay, the smaller the Discount Factor.
For example when the periodic cost of capital = 6% as before, but the number of periods delay increases to 2, then:
Discount factor = (1+r)<sup>-n</sup>
= 1.06<sup>-2</sup>
= 1.06<sup>-2</sup>
= 0.8890


2.  
= '''0.8890'''
Loosely, the yield or cost of capital used for the purpose of calculating Discount Factors.   
 
''(A smaller figure than the 0.9434 we calculated previously for just one period's delay.)''
 
 
'''2.'''
 
Loosely and historically, the yield or cost of capital used for the purpose of calculating Discount Factors.   
 
For example the 6% rate applied in definition 1. above.
For example the 6% rate applied in definition 1. above.


== See also ==
== See also ==

Revision as of 09:45, 11 June 2013

(DF).

1.

Strictly, the number less than one which we multiply a future cash flow by, to work out its present value as:

PV = DF x future cashflow.


The periodic discount factor is calculated from the periodic yield as:

DF = (1 + periodic yield)-1


Commonly abbreviated as DF(n,r) or DFn


where

n = number of periods, and

r = periodic cost of capital.


For example when the periodic cost of capital (r) = 6% and the number of periods in the total time under review (n) = 1, then:

Discount factor = (1+r)-n

= 1.06-1

= 0.9434


The greater the time delay, the smaller the Discount Factor.

For example when the periodic cost of capital = 6% as before, but the number of periods delay increases to 2, then:

Discount factor = (1+r)-n

= 1.06-2

= 0.8890

(A smaller figure than the 0.9434 we calculated previously for just one period's delay.)


2.

Loosely and historically, the yield or cost of capital used for the purpose of calculating Discount Factors.

For example the 6% rate applied in definition 1. above.


See also