Reverse DCF Calculator

Enter a stock's current price and FCF per share to solve for the implied growth rate the market is pricing in. When implied growth exceeds realistic estimates, the stock may be pricing in optimistic assumptions.

Model Inputs

$
$
%
%

WACC must exceed terminal growth rate. Stage 2 growth = Stage 1 x 0.6 (natural slowdown modeled automatically).

Implied Stage 1 Growth Rate

15.4%

Strong growth priced in

Stage 2 Growth Rate

9.2%

Model price: $149.99

Value Attribution

Stage 1 (yr 1-5)
19.3%
Stage 2 (yr 6-10)
20.7%
Terminal Value
60.0%

Present Value Breakdown

Stage 1 PV (yr 1-5)$28.90
Stage 2 PV (yr 6-10)$31.04
Terminal Value PV$90.05
Model Price$149.99

How to read this

The market is pricing in 15.4% annual FCF growth for years 1-5, tapering to 9.2% in years 6-10, before settling at the 3.0% terminal rate. If you believe the company will grow FCF faster than 15.4%, the model suggests the current price underestimates fundamental value. If growth will be slower, the market may be pricing in optimistic assumptions.

For informational purposes only. Not financial advice. Model output depends on input assumptions.

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Research and educational purposes only. Not investment advice.

How reverse DCF analysis works

Understanding what the market is implying rather than what you project.

1

Start with price

A standard DCF takes a growth assumption and produces a value. A reverse DCF takes the market price as the "answer" and works backwards to find what growth assumption the market is using.

2

Solve for implied growth

The calculator iterates over possible growth rates using binary search. It finds the single rate g that, plugged into the two-stage DCF model, produces a value equal to the current stock price.

3

Compare to your view

The implied rate tells you what the market expects. If you believe the company will grow faster, there may be a model-based value opportunity. If slower, the market may be pricing in optimistic assumptions.

Limitations of reverse DCF

Most useful for

  • Companies with stable, positive free cash flow
  • Stress-testing market valuation assumptions
  • Comparing implied growth vs. historical growth rates
  • Identifying valuation asymmetry between names

Less reliable for

  • Negative or near-zero FCF companies
  • Early-stage, pre-profit businesses
  • Companies with highly volatile cash flows
  • Financials where FCF definition differs materially

Frequently asked questions