A Review of the Basics for Lost Profits (Part V) This is the fifth article in a series reviewing the basics for lost profits. When calculating lost profits, some assignments will show results with future lost profits. The future lost profits must be discounted to a present value. This article will review issues relating to discounting future lost profits to their present value. The topics discussed will be (1) from what date to discount losses, (2) ex ante and ex post approaches, (3) modeling or not modeling projections of future losses, and (4) the appropriate discount rate. This is the…
-
-
For Calculating Future Lost Profits Robert Dunn and Everett Harry published their oft cited Modeling and Discounting Future Damages in 2002. The article laid out the process for assessing future lost profits and discounting them to present value. They argued modeling future losses reduced the uncertainty related to the loss calculation and therefore reduced the risk premium to be included in the discount rate. They also argued modeling future losses and using a risk-reduced, relatively low discount rate was easier for judges and juries to understand. While their discussion on a risk-adjusted discount rate has been somewhat controversial, the need…