Profitability Index (PI) Calculator
The Profitability Index measures the value created per currency unit invested, making it ideal for capital rationing decisions.
The project earns more than the required return at the selected discount rate. Value is expected to be added to the firm.
Bars: present value of each period (Year 0 is initial outlay). Polyline: running cumulative total. When the line crosses zero, the project achieves economic break-even in today's money.
| Year | Cash flow | Discount factor | Present value | Running total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year 0 | -$1,000,000 | 1.0000 | -$1,000,000 | -$1,000,000 |
| Year 1 | $300,000 | 0.9091 | $272,727 | -$727,273 |
| Year 2 | $3,500,000 | 0.8264 | $2,892,562 | $2,165,289 |
| Year 3 | $78,567 | 0.7513 | $59,029 | $2,224,318 |
| Year 4 | $5,464,755 | 0.6830 | $3,732,501 | $5,956,819 |
| Year 5 | $300,000 | 0.6209 | $186,276 | $6,143,095 |
| Discount Rate | Scenario | Net Present Value | Variance vs Base | Viability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0% | -400 bps | $7,016,748 | +$873,653 | Accept |
| 8.0% | -200 bps | $6,561,766 | +$418,670 | Accept |
| 9.0% | -100 bps | $6,348,127 | +$205,032 | Accept |
| 10.0%Active | Base Case (Active) | $6,143,095 | — (Base) | Accept |
| 11.0% | +100 bps | $5,946,235 | -$196,860 | Accept |
| 12.0% | +200 bps | $5,757,137 | -$385,959 | Accept |
| 14.0% | +400 bps | $5,400,709 | -$742,386 | Accept |
| 129.8%IRR | Break-Even (IRR) | $0 | -$6,143,095 | Break-Even |
Sensitivity analysis reveals how NPV shifts when corporate borrowing costs or inflation vary. As the discount rate increases, present value decreases.
Formula & Calculation Logic
Profitability Index (PI) = Present Value of Future Inflows / Initial OutlayThis financial model applies precise periodic compounding to establish the exact present economic value of future cash inflows against the required initial investment.
Key Capabilities & Features
- Benefit-Cost ratio calculation
- Capital rationing ranking metric
- Decision benchmark (PI > 1.0 indicates value creation)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Net Present Value (NPV)?
Net Present Value (NPV) is a core financial metric used in capital budgeting to analyze the profitability of a projected investment or project. NPV calculations take into account the time value of money by discounting expected future cash flows back to their present value using a specified discount rate (such as WACC or required rate of return). If the NPV is positive, the project is projected to generate surplus value over and above its cost of capital.
What is a good NPV?
A good Net Present Value is any figure strictly greater than zero ($NPV > 0$), confirming that the investment yields cash flows beyond the required cost of capital and adds net shareholder wealth. When comparing mutually exclusive projects, the proposal with the highest positive NPV is optimal because it creates the greatest absolute monetary value. To gauge project efficiency and margin of safety across varying budget sizes, evaluate your NPV alongside the [Profitability Index (PI)](/profitability-index-calculator/) and explore our [Capital Budgeting Decision Guide](/what-is-net-present-value/).