One way to use CFPS to value a business or a project is to apply a multiple to it, based on the industry average, the growth rate, the risk, and the expected return. A multiple is a factor that reflects how much investors are willing to pay for each unit of cash flow. For example, if the average multiple for a certain industry is 15, it means that investors are willing to pay $15 for every $1 of cash flow. To value a business or a project using CFPS and a multiple, simply multiply the CFPS by the multiple. For example, if a business has a CFPS of $2 and a multiple of 15, its value is $30 per share.
Another way to use CFPS to value a business or a project is to discount its future cash flows to the present value, using a discount rate that reflects the required return and the risk. This method is called the discounted cash flow (DCF) model. To use the DCF model, you need to estimate the future CFPS for a certain period, usually five to ten years, and a terminal value that represents the value of the business or project beyond that period. Then, you need to discount these values to the present value, using a discount rate that reflects the opportunity cost of investing in the business or project. The sum of these present values is the value of the business or project. For example, if a project has a CFPS of $2 in year 1, growing at 10% per year for five years, and a terminal value of $50, and the discount rate is 12%, its value is $41.27.