Readable deal math
Read exit_multiple, interest_rate, and remaining_debt in visible formulas. The model does not depend on cell addresses.
Cast for private equity and FP&A
Build the forecast. Explain the return.
Underwrite a transaction, run an operating plan, and trace each result back to a named assumption. The model stays readable when the deal changes.
Five-year operating forecastDebt sweep and lender checksGross and net investor returnsSensitivity and simulation
Named LBO formulas beside their calculated results in Cast.
Private equity · the complete deal path
From entry price to exit proceeds.
The LBO template starts with purchase multiple, financing mix, fees, sales growth, and margins. Its five-year forecast calculates EBITDA, interest, taxes, capital spending, free cash flow, and debt paydown. The exit uses the remaining debt to calculate proceeds.
- Entry enterprise value, sources of funds, and equity invested
- Five yearly revenue, EBITDA, interest, tax, CapEx, and cash-flow rows
- Debt balances and interest coverage carried through the forecast
- Exit enterprise value, debt, gross IRR and MOIC, carry, and net IRR and MOIC
The real five-year LBO operating and debt forecast.
Investment committee · stress the thesis
Find the assumptions that change the deal.
The same LBO model runs a 35-cell exit-multiple and growth sensitivity table, Conservative and Aggressive cases, and a 1,000-run Monte Carlo simulation. The model also checks leverage, interest coverage, target IRR, MOIC, and deleveraging.
- See exactly where an exit-multiple or growth change moves returns
- Compare scenarios against the same named base model
- Inspect a range of simulated outcomes and downside
- See each covenant or return threshold pass or fail
Gross IRR sensitivity to exit multiple and revenue growth.
The LBO template’s 1,000 simulated outcomes.
Operating finance · FP&A
Keep the plan connected to the actuals.
Bring actuals into the editable data grid. Use named formulas to calculate a budget variance and reforecast. A changed revenue or cost assumption flows into the result without copying a formula across columns. Cast’s marketing-mix and SaaS templates also model spend, growth, churn, and recurring revenue.
- Import and edit rows in the data grid; refer to columns by name
- Compare budget, actual, and variance in a model you can inspect
- Update drivers once and rerun the plan or a scenario
- Share the working model or export it to Excel
Illustrative FP&A budget-versus-actual model using Cast’s data grid.
The result is explainable
Tell the investor and lender story.
The template connects enterprise value, EBITDA growth, debt reduction, and exit multiple in a value-creation bridge. Return and covenant checks appear beside the numbers that produced them.
- Gross and net investor returns
- Debt and coverage requirements
- A value-creation bridge for the deal narrative
- An inspectable source model for handoff
LBO value-creation bridge from the running model.
Why try Cast alongside Excel?
Read the deal logic. Change the deal.
Excel has names, tables, and what-if tools. Cast makes the named model your main workspace. The data grid holds the rows underneath, and an Excel export is there when your process needs it.
No copied formula columns
Write the period rule once. Growth, margins, cash flow, and debt update across the forecast without copying columns.
Change a driver. Save a case.
Change growth or the exit multiple and click Save Scenario. Compare named inputs, returns, debt, and other calculated results side by side.
Chart the series
Add | chart to a forecast series. Cast shows its movement over time as a line chart.
Let the team test assumptions
Share an input-only view so a colleague can change exposed values and see new results without editing model code. This sharing mode requires Pro.
Use the grid. Keep the Excel exit.
Import or edit source rows in Cast’s data grid. Export an .xlsx workbook; supported formulas remain live and other functions carry values with notes.
Cast avoids formula-drag and accidental column-copy errors in its model editor. Input mistakes and flawed assumptions remain possible. Microsoft documents copied formulas, named table references, and Excel what-if tools.
Open the working example
Change the inputs. See what moves.
The LBO and FP&A examples use illustrative assumptions. A model that runs successfully can still contain a bad assumption. Review the inputs, financing terms, accounting treatment, and exported workbook.