logo-v-light

Our Service

FV

In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the FV (Future Value) formula in Excel. The FV formula is a financial function that calculates the future value of an investment based on a constant interest rate, the number of periods, the periodic payment, and the present value of the investment. This formula is particularly useful for financial analysts, investors, and anyone interested in understanding the potential growth of an investment over time.

FV Syntax

The syntax for the FV formula in Excel is as follows:

=FV(rate, nper, pmt, [pv], [type])

Where:

  • rate (required) – The interest rate per period.
  • nper (required) – The total number of periods (e.g., months, quarters, years).
  • pmt (required) – The payment made each period. This should be a negative value if it’s an outgoing payment (e.g., a regular investment) and a positive value if it’s an incoming payment (e.g., a regular income).
  • pv (optional) – The present value of the investment. This is the current value of the investment, and it should be a negative value if it’s an outgoing payment and a positive value if it’s an incoming payment. If omitted, the default value is 0.
  • type (optional) – A value that indicates when the payments are due. Use 0 (or omit) for payments due at the end of the period, and use 1 for payments due at the beginning of the period.

FV Examples

Let’s look at some examples of using the FV formula in Excel:

Example 1: You want to invest $1,000 per year for 10 years at an annual interest rate of 5%. What will be the future value of your investment?

=FV(0.05, 10, -1000)

In this example, the future value of the investment after 10 years would be $13,206.04.

Example 2: You have a present value of $5,000 and want to invest it for 15 years at an annual interest rate of 6%. What will be the future value of your investment?

=FV(0.06, 15, 0, -5000)

In this example, the future value of the investment after 15 years would be $12,006.96.

Example 3: You want to invest $200 per month for 5 years at an annual interest rate of 4%, compounded monthly. What will be the future value of your investment?

=FV((0.04/12), (5*12), -200)

In this example, the future value of the investment after 5 years would be $13,494.89.

FV Tips & Tricks

  • Remember to convert the interest rate to a per-period rate if it’s not already provided in that format. For example, if you have an annual interest rate, divide it by the number of periods per year (e.g., 12 for monthly).
  • Make sure to use negative values for outgoing payments (investments) and positive values for incoming payments (incomes).
  • If you want to calculate the future value of an investment with regular contributions, use the PMT argument in the FV formula.
  • Use the optional TYPE argument to specify whether payments are due at the beginning or end of the period.

Common Mistakes When Using FV

  • Forgetting to convert the interest rate to a per-period rate.
  • Using positive values for outgoing payments or negative values for incoming payments.
  • Not specifying the TYPE argument when payments are due at the beginning of the period.
  • Using the wrong number of periods (e.g., using years instead of months).

Why Isn’t My FV Formula Working?

If your FV formula isn’t working as expected, consider the following troubleshooting tips:

  • Double-check your formula syntax and ensure all required arguments are provided.
  • Ensure you’re using the correct interest rate format (per-period rate).
  • Verify that you’re using the correct sign for outgoing and incoming payments.
  • Check if you need to specify the TYPE argument for your specific scenario.
  • Make sure you’re using the correct number of periods for your calculation.

FV: Related Formulae

Here are some related Excel formulae that you might find useful when working with the FV formula:

  • PV – Calculates the present value of an investment.
  • NPV – Calculates the net present value of an investment based on a series of cash flows.
  • IRR – Calculates the internal rate of return for an investment based on a series of cash flows.
  • IPMT – Calculates the interest payment for a given period of an investment.
  • PPMT – Calculates the principal payment for a given period of an investment.

By mastering the FV formula and its related functions, you can gain valuable insights into the potential growth of your investments and make more informed financial decisions.

Related

Did you find this article useful?

Share it with your friends or colleagues

About Aepoch Advisors

We are a boutique accounting and consulting firm servicing international businesses operating in China. We offers book keeping and business advisory service. We also help our clients select and implement SAAS business applications. 
 
Cloud technology significantly reduces cost foreign companies traditionally spent on tax compliance and ERP systems. Our cloud professionals can help with streamlining your management and controling structure, as well as advising you on how to reduce risks and maximize profits with software purposely built for Chinese business. Contact us today to learn more about our services.
Learn More