Terminal Cash Flow (Definition, Formula)

What is Terminal Cash Flow?

Terminal Cash Flow is final cash flow (i.e. Net of cash inflow & cash outflow) at the end of the project and includes after-tax cash flow from disposing of all the equipment related to the project and recoupment of working capital.

For any company who uses capital budgeting approach to estimate the overall figure of an ongoing project or a project which company management is planning to undertake, they give the more clear understanding about earnings of the project to the company management which help management initially to decide whether to accept or reject a project.

Let’s say an XYZ company got an offer from state authority to construct an overhead bridge. Company management accepted the offer and they knew that to complete this project they require special machinery. They also knew that once this project is completed or terminated, this special bridge constructing machinery is not required to the company, so management decided to dispose of this machinery at the end of the project to get some of their initial investment recovered. The final amount recovered from disposing of this machinery becomes one of the important components while calculating terminal cash flow.

How to Calculate Terminal Cash Flow?

Terminal cash flow can be calculated by using the below formula:

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Terminal Cash Flow Formula = After-Tax Proceeds from Disposal of Project Equipment + Any Change in Working Capital

Example

Let discuss an example.

You can download this Terminal Cash Flow Excel Template here – Terminal Cash Flow Excel Template

Redtech, a manufacturing company is considering a new project to manufacture a recyclable product that is made of paper. To begin with this manufacturing process, Redtech has to install a new machine, which is expected to have 5 years of economic life after that this machine should become obsolete & replaced by a newer technology machine. The initial investment required for this machine is $100,000.

The machine is to be depreciated on a straight-line method basis over the life of the machine with excepted salvage value at the end of the project is $10,000. The tax rate applicable to gain/loss on disposal of the asset is 30%. Working capital recoupment is $ 15,000. Redtech management forecast that at the end of the project this machine can be disposed of for $25,000. Calculate the terminal cash flow?

To calculate the terminal value following are the key component:

Initial Investment required: $ 100,000.
Working capital recoupment: $ 15,000.
The tax rate on disposal: 30%.
Salvage Value: $ 10,000.

As you saw in the question that at the end of the project, management expects cash proceeds on disposal is $25,000, which is higher than the book value of the machine at the end of the project by $15,000 ($25,000 – $10,000).

Solution:

Calculation of terminal cash flow will be –

After-Tax Proceeds from Disposal of Machine = Actual Proceed Received from Disposal – Tax on Disposal

Tax on Disposal = (Proceeds Received on Disposal – Book Value on Disposal) * Tax Rate

Actual Proceeds Received on Disposal = $25,000.
Tax on Disposal = ($25,000 – $10,000) * 30%
Tax on Disposal =$4,500.
After Tax Proceeds on Disposal of Machine = ($25,000 – &4,500) = $20,500.
Any Change in Working Capital = $ 15,000.
Terminal Cash Flow = $20,500 + $15,000 = $35,500

Advantages

Company management can decide more precisely whether to accept or reject the project.
Including terminal cash flow gives an accurate figure to analysts while estimating the value of the project.

Disadvantages

Incorrect forecasting the disposable value of the asset at the end of the project.
Sometimes actual life of the projects or equipment differs from the assumption made by management initially.
Terminal cash flow is mostly used for the project only with a finite life.

Important Point to Remember

Terminal cash flow is the final cash flow at the end of the project. It consists of cash flow from asset disposal & working capital recoupment.

Conclusion

This is the last amount of cash left with the company after the project is terminated, all assets related to the project are disposed of, the working capital is recovered. Considering this cash flow in estimating earnings give company management a more accurate figure to decide whether to accept or reject the project.