What is the key difference in calculating levered versus unlevered FCF?

The key difference in calculating levered versus unlevered Free Cash Flow (FCF) lies in how they handle the costs associated with financing, specifically interest and taxes. Levered Free Cash Flow accounts for the payments made to debt holders, which means it includes interest expenses in its calculation. This reflects the cash flow available to equity holders after meeting both operational expenses and financial obligations.

In contrast, unlevered Free Cash Flow represents the cash generated by a company's operations without accounting for interest or taxation effects. This measure gives a clearer view of a company's operational efficiency and cash-generating ability since it focuses solely on the earnings from core business activities, disregarding the structure of the company's financing.

By focusing on the distinction between these two concepts, we can appreciate how financial leverage impacts the cash available to equity holders and understand the broader implications for financial analysis and valuation of a business.