Magnimetrics Library

Magnimetrics

Practical finance, Excel, valuation, and FP&A articles with downloadable working files where relevant.

126 articles
Financial Analysis

Introduction to Probability Distributions in Financial Modeling

In one of our recent articles, we looked into how to set up and run Monte Carlo Simulations in Excel. And we looked at some of the most common probability distributions, which we can apply to illustrate the uncertainty of our model’s variables. When we work on a financial model, we face issues with variables […]

Financial Analysis

Rolling Forecasts in Financial Planning

Let’s start by looking at why businesses need rolling forecasts. When running a business, we need to have a full view of what’s happening so that we can make the proper decisions. The best way to achieve this is to implement a budgeting and planning process. We create an expected standard performance for the business […]

Financial Analysis

Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) Case Study: Amazon (AMZN)

With a reach in e-commerce, cloud computing, digital streaming, and artificial intelligence, Amazon is now one of the largest corporations in the world. Analysts often refer to it as one of the most influential economic forces in the world. Alongside Google, Microsoft, and Apple, Amazon is considered one of the Big Four tech companies. In […]

Financial Analysis

Monte Carlo Simulation in Financial Modeling

Whenever we are constructing a financial model, we rely heavily on assumptions. Some, if not all, of those assumptions, have the associated uncertainty and inherent risk. Not being able to predict the future makes it harder to solve and model the probability of different outcomes from our financial models. In such situations, we can apply […]

Financial Analysis

Understanding The Value of a Budget

Introduction Running a business poses the threat of getting lost into the day-to-day issues the company faces. And this can mean we start to miss the bigger picture. Investing time and resources in creating a budget and a business plan is essential to ensure we form a proper long-term strategy for the business. A budget […]

Financial Analysis

Value Chain Analysis Break-down

The primary purpose of any business is to produce goods or provide services in a way that they have a higher value for the customers than the original cost for the firm. Companies engage in numerous activities while converting inputs to outputs. Porter’s Value Chain helps us create a clear overview of the internal organization, […]

Financial Analysis

Opportunity Cost in Financial Modeling and Analysis

Introduction Opportunity cost represents the benefits the business misses out on when picking between alternatives. When we have two desirable options, the benefit from the one not chosen is our opportunity cost. These costs are usually the result of bottlenecks in business processes. Therefore, finance professionals use Opportunity Cost analysis to improve the decision-making process […]

Financial Analysis

Using the Net Present Value (NPV) in Financial Analysis

The Net Present Value (NPV) is a profitability measure we use to figure out the present value of all expected future cash flows a project or investment will generate, including the initial capital we invest. It shows us the difference between the current value of cash inflows and outflows over a period. Net Present Value […]

Financial Analysis

Quick Ratio in Financial Analysis and Modeling

Introduction We perform a liquidity ratio analysis to evaluate the ability of the company to settle its obligations on time. The most common use case is when lenders and creditors want to gain a better understanding of the financial health of a borrower or customer. Analysts use the gained insights to set credit terms and […]

Financial Analysis

Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in Financial Modeling

Introduction Investors are continually evaluating different investments, trying to identify the ones that will maximize their returns and wealth. Analysts consider the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) as one of the most accurate ways to calculate the return for any investment with a value that changes over time. CAGR represents the rate of return an […]