Discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis is a form of business valuation. It is a cornerstone technique used to estimate the present value of future earnings by accounting for the time value of money. This principle recognizes that a dollar available today is worth more than a dollar in the future due to its potential earning capacity.

In practice, DCF analysis involves projecting future free cash flows and discounting them back to their current worth using a specific discount rate. This rate reflects both the risk of the venture and the opportunity cost of capital. While standard cash flow analysis focuses on immediate liquidity and daily operations, the discounted method is specifically used for strategic decisions and long-term investment planning, such as evaluating business acquisitions or significant equipment upgrades.