The Analyst's Path

Glossarytaught in M3.06, M2.04

Free cash flow yield

Also called FCF yield, free cash flow yield.

Free cash flow divided by market capitalisation, expressed as a percentage. What the shares would yield if every rupee of free cash were paid out.

Generating ₹325 crore against a ₹12,000 crore market value, a company yields 2.71%.

FCF yield is harder to manipulate than an earnings multiple, because cash flow after capital spending is difficult to dress up for long. It's also lumpy, since a single year's capital expenditure can swing it, so average it across a cycle.

Compare it with the ten-year government bond yield. That comparison is the cleanest statement of what equity risk you're being paid for.

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