An asset which pays $1000 four periods from now is worth just slightly more than $680 today, if 10% interest can be earned in each period. The farther in the future returns are earned the less they are worth in today's dollars. The opportunity cost of waiting to receive money in the future is the forgone interest. The longer one waits the more interest is lost.

    Consider that same asset yielding $1000 4 periods hence, but with an interest rate of 5%. The asset would be worth over $820 today. The opportunity cost of waiting to receive money is lower if the interest rate is lower, making future revenues more valuable in today's dollars.

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