FCF Decomposition Tool
When a DCF or EPV model says "FCF = NOPAT", is that conservative or aggressive for this company?
That shortcut only works when reported D&A equals true maintenance CapEx. For filers with acquisition goodwill, part of D&A is non-cash intangible runoff that never needs replacing — so the model is conservative. For filers under-spending on PP&E, the model is aggressive. This tool pulls the per-concept tags from SEC EDGAR in real time, splits D&A into its tangible and intangible parts, and reconciles NOPAT to the FCF identity (NOPAT + D&A − CapEx). Output is a directional adjustment you can carry into your reverse-DCF or EPV.
D&A composition over time
Tangible depreciation is the cash drag — every dollar represents wear on PP&E that needs CapEx to replace. Intangible amortisation is non-cash runoff from acquisition goodwill, customer relationships, or capitalised software. The split tells you what the "FCF = NOPAT" shortcut is silently assuming.
CapEx vs Tangible Depreciation
CapEx above tangible depreciation = growth investment.
CapEx below = the asset base is shrinking (or under-maintained).
- TTM CapEx
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- TTM tangible depreciation
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- CapEx − Tangible Depreciation
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Cash earnings reconciliation
The FCF identity walks from NOPAT (after-tax operating earnings) to underlying free cash flow: FCF = NOPAT + D&A − CapEx − ΔWC. Add back the non-cash D&A charge, subtract real cash CapEx, and back out working-capital build (cash absorbed by growing receivables/inventory or freed by stretched payables). The page-level "FCF = NOPAT" shortcut is honest only when those add-back and subtract lines cancel.
Forward intangible-amortisation runoff
| Year out | Expected amort |
|---|
5-year per-concept history (click to expand)
Per-concept observations from the last five 10-K filings. Useful for spotting trend breaks (intangible amort dropping as legacy acquisitions roll off, CapEx inflecting on a build cycle, etc.).
Apply this in your DCF / EPV
The gap above tells you how to nudge a "FCF = NOPAT" model. The simplest mechanical adjustment: shift starting EBIT by the FCF/NOPAT gap (grossed up by the tax shield) so the model's projected FCF lines up with the cash-identity FCF. One-click links below pre-fill the EPV and Expectations calculators with that adjustment baked in.
Methodology
Concept tags this tool reads (canonical us-gaap names; common aliases also handled):
Depreciation— tangible depreciation (cash drag).AmortizationOfIntangibleAssets— intangible runoff (non-cash).DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization— rolled-up D&A; used for the reconciliation residual sanity check.PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment— cash CapEx.OperatingIncomeLoss,EffectiveIncomeTaxRateContinuingOperations— for NOPAT.NetIncomeLoss(orProfitLoss),NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities,ShareBasedCompensation— feed the OCF-residual ΔWC fallback.IncreaseDecreaseInOperatingCapital— preferred ΔWC source. When absent, ΔWC = NI + D&A + SBC − OCF (residual captures pure ΔNWC plus deferred tax + other operating accruals).FiniteLivedIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpense{NextTwelveMonths,YearTwo,…YearFive}— forward runoff schedule when tagged.
3-year smoothing. The verdict and the EBIT-adjustment links use a trailing 3-yr average of the FCF − NOPAT gap (and its drivers). Single-year ΔWC swings on inventory builds, receivables timing, and year-end accruals; smoothing keeps a one-quarter inventory bulge from rewriting the headline.
When a concept isn't tagged for the latest FY, the corresponding row stays blank rather than silently treating the value as zero. Filers using IFRS, banks/REITs (different schedules), and pre-XBRL legacy filers won't appear in the SEC ticker map.