| Real Option | |
 An alternative or choice that becomes available with a business investment opportunity. |
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 Note that this kind of option is not a derivative instrument, but an actual option (in the sense of "choice") that a business may gain by undertaking certain endeavors. For example, by investing in a particular project, a company may have the real option of expanding, downsizing, or abandoning other projects in the future. Other examples of real options may be opportunities for R&D, M&A, and licensing. They are referred to as "real" because they usually pertain to tangible assets, such as capital equipment, rather than financial instruments. Taking into account real options can greatly effect the valuation of potential investments. Oftentimes, however, valuation methods, such as NPV, do not include the benefits that real options provide. |
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 It's Time To Get Real About "Real Options" - Applying "real options" pricing to stock valuation has its shortcomings. Learn more here. Taking Stock Of Discounted Cash Flow - Learn how and why investors are using cash flow-based analysis to make judgments about company performance. |
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