calculate_npv

io.github.johnbehar1500-ux/valuation-api · Verify this server

Calculate the Net Present Value (NPV) of an ordered cash-flow series discounted at a given rate. The first cash flow is treated as time 0 and is NOT discounted (typically the negative initial investment). WHEN TO USE: to evaluate whether an investment creates or destroys value at a required discount rate, or to compare competing projects on a present-value basis when you have a full cash-flow schedule. WHEN NOT TO USE: for a single lump-sum investment with one exit value (use calculate_irr), or when you only need a money multiple with no time value (use calculate_moic). BEHAVIOUR: pure deterministic calculation — no side effects, no network or storage access; idempotent and non-destructive; identical inputs always produce identical outputs. RETURNS: JSON object { npv: number rounded to 2dp, rate, cash_flows }. A positive NPV means the investment clears the discount-rate hurdle. PARAMETERS: rate (decimal discount rate, e.g. 0.10 = 10% — express as a decimal, never as percentage points), cash_flows (ordered number array starting at time 0; negative values are investments/outflows, positive values are distributions/inflows), e.g. [-100000, 0, 0, 0, 0, 250000].