Consider the case of Purple Panda Pharmaceuticals: Next year, Purple Panda is expected to earn an EBIT of $2,000,000, and to pay a federal-plus-state tax rate of 30%. It also expects to make $500,000 in new capital expenditures to support this level of business activity, as well as $35,000 in additional net operating working capital (NOWC). Given these expectations, it is reasonable to conclude that next year Purple Panda will generate an annual free cash flow (FCF) of (rounded to the nearest whole dollar).

Purple Panda Pharmaceuticals

Annual Free Cash Flow (FCF):

FCF = Sales Revenue - (Operating costs + Taxes) - Required investments in operating capital or net operating profit after taxes - net investment in operating capital =

Net Income =              $1,400,000

additional NOWC =           35,000

Capital expenditures =  500,000

FCF = $865,000

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

EBIT = $2,000,000

Tax = 30% or $600,000

Net Income =              $1,400,000

additional NOWC =           35,000

Capital expenditures =  500,000

FCF = $865,000

Purple Panda Pharmaceuticals' Free Cash Flow shows what is available for distribution to security holders after the payment of taxes.  Purple Panda will use the information from its Free Cash Flow to judge if a project will pay off and generate enough cash flow so that shareholders' value will be enhanced.

answerobservation;