Why is unlevered FCF calculated by including or excluding certain financial statement items?

Unlevered free cash flow (FCF) is calculated specifically to capture the cash generated by a company's operations before accounting for the effects of capital structure, including debt financing. This measure provides insight into the operational performance and intrinsic value of the business, independent of how it is financed. It is particularly useful for potential investors, as it demonstrates the cash available to all providers of capital, including equity and debt holders.

By focusing on unlevered FCF, analysts can better assess the core value of the company's operations, facilitating comparisons across companies that may have different capital structures. This focus enables investors to evaluate the underlying business without the distortions that leverage can introduce, thereby offering a clearer picture of its profitability and cash generation capabilities.

The other options, while they may touch on aspects of financial reporting or investor expectations, do not specifically address the foundational purpose of unlevered free cash flow. The emphasis on representing the core business value accessible to all investor types highlights why unlevered FCF is a critical metric in financial analysis and valuation.