What distinguishes unlevered free cash flow (FCFF) from levered free cash flow (FCFE)?

Unlevered free cash flow (FCFF) is distinguished from levered free cash flow (FCFE) primarily by its treatment of debt and interest payments. FCFF represents the cash generated by a company's operations that is available to all capital providers, which includes both equity and debt holders. By excluding interest expenses, FCFF provides a clearer picture of the company's operational performance before the impact of capital structure is considered. This makes FCFF a useful metric for evaluating the overall profitability and financial health of a business without the influence of how that business is financed.

In contrast, FCFE accounts for interest payments and thus reflects the cash flow available only to equity shareholders after all expenses, including interest and tax obligations, have been deducted. This means that FCFE can fluctuate more significantly depending on a company's leverage, or the extent to which it uses debt in its capital structure. Understanding this distinction is crucial for financial analysis, as it helps investors assess risks and returns associated with equity investments vs. overall business performance.