Internal Rate of Return - IRR

LEONa
LEONa Registered Posts: 4 New contributor 🐸
Can anyone help me. I understand the mathematics of IRR but I cannot grasp what the result is actually telling me.

For example, I understand, as a management tool, the significance of NPV which shows the difference between total discounted cash flows and the initial cost, thus enabling a company to make realistic comparisons. However, I cannot quite get my head around the interpretation of IRR.

I have looked at previous threads and answers posted by SandyHood, but these tend to deal with the actual mathematics. Can anyone explain in simple terms, what the percentage result actually means!

Comments

  • SandyHood
    SandyHood Registered, Moderator Posts: 2,034 mod
    Leona
    Sorry about the earlier mathematics.

    You know what NPV is
    NPV which shows the difference between total discounted cash flows and the initial cost, thus enabling a company to make realistic comparisons.

    Your discounted cash flows are the result of a series of multiplication sums.

    You multiply the actual annual net cash flows by the discount factor for that year.
    Each discount factor depends on a rate and the year in question.
    The higher the rate the more the net cash flow is reduced.

    The IRR is the discount rate that will leave you with a zero NPV

    And if you find your IRR is more than the companies own required return that signals that the project is worth investing in.
    If it is lower it is not a worthwhile investment.
    Sandy
    sandy@sandyhood.com
    www.sandyhood.com
  • gingervicki
    gingervicki Registered Posts: 87 Regular contributor ⭐
    thanks very much

    that makes much more sense - thanks very much:001_smile:
  • LEONa
    LEONa Registered Posts: 4 New contributor 🐸
    Thanks

    Ahhhhhh! Penny dropped! Thanks for that Sandy, you obviously know your stuff!
Privacy Policy