Discounted cash flow analysis is used to help value the potential of an organisation and in making other investment decisions. The discounted cash flow method assesses the projected stream of economic benefits (such as cash flow, net sale proceeds, value of intangible assets) and calculates the maximum investment that should be made. This is known as net present value analysis. It also enables comparison of an investment amount with a stream of economic benefits and provides an overall rate of return. This is known as internal rate of return analysis, enabling analysts to assess the rate of return provided by a particular investment. Many consider that discounted cash flow analysis is more useful than other valuation methods, such as price/earnings ratios. If an investment case is sound, then discounted cash flow will highlight this.