Time value of money
Time value of money is the principle that a euro today is worth more than the same sum in the future, because today's euro can be invested to earn a return. It underpins all discounting and compounding.
FrameworkTime value of money
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A euro today can be invested and earn a return, so it is worth more than a euro received later. €1,000 invested today at 5% grows to €1,000 × 1.05³ = €1,158 by year three. Discounting simply reverses this same compounding logic to bring a future sum back to today.
Where it fits
TopicTime Value of MoneyCoreSubjectCorporate FinanceCore
Check yourself
PracticeCORE
Which of the following best explains why £1 received today is worth more than £1 received one year from now, assuming no inflation?
Select an answer to check your understanding.