- Net present value
- -21.0368
The first value belongs to time zero
An amount paid immediately is already a present value. A purchase of 1,000 therefore enters as −1,000 when later amounts are receipts. The next value is one period away, the following value two periods away, and so on. Keep the interval between entries consistent.
Choose a rate for the same interval
If the cash flows are annual, use the discount rate per year. If they are monthly, use a compatible monthly rate. Uneven amounts are supported, but irregular calendar dates are not represented by this equally spaced model.
The first amount has t = 0. The discount rate r applies to one cash-flow interval.
Interpret NPV under the stated assumptions
The default amounts −1,000, 300, 400 and 500 discounted at 10% give approximately −21.0376. The discounted receipts total less than the initial outflow. This is a result of these cash flows and this chosen rate; a different cash-flow forecast or discount rate changes the result.