What cash flow metric is primarily used in DCF analysis?

In DCF (Discounted Cash Flow) analysis, the primary cash flow metric used is Unlevered Free Cash Flow. This metric represents the cash generated by the company's operations without taking into account its capital structure and debt obligations. By focusing on cash flows that are available to all capital providers, including both equity and debt holders, unlevered free cash flow gives a clearer picture of the company's operational performance and its ability to generate cash over time.

This metric is crucial because it allows analysts to assess the value of a firm based on its operations alone, stripped of the effects of financing decisions, which can vary widely between companies. Unlevered Free Cash Flow is typically projected into the future and then discounted back to present value using the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). This process helps determine the intrinsic value of a company based purely on operational efficiency and growth prospects.

Other cash flow metrics, such as total revenue, levered free cash flow, and net income, either do not focus on cash generation or incorporate financing elements that might distort the analysis in the context of valuation. Levered free cash flow, for instance, accounts for debt payments and is less relevant for DCF as it can vary significantly due to the company's financing structure. Net