What is Free Cash Flow?

In finance, there are numerous metrics and indicators used to assess the financial health and performance of a company. One such metric that holds significant importance is free cash flow. But what exactly is free cash flow?

In this article, we’ll delve into what free cash flow is, why it matters, and how it’s calculated.

Understanding Free Cash Flow (FCF)

Free cash flow (FCF) represents the cash that a company generates from its operations after accounting for all capital expenditures required to maintain or expand its asset base. In simpler terms, it is the cash left over after a company has paid for its operating expenses and capital expenditures. 

FCF is a crucial metric as it indicates a company’s ability to generate cash that can be used for various purposes, such as paying dividends, reducing debt, investing in growth opportunities, or repurchasing shares.

Calculating Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow can be calculated using various methods, but the most common approach is:

FCF = Operating Cash Flow – Capital Expenditures

Where:

• Operating Cash Flow (OCF) is the cash generated from a company’s core business operations and can be found on the cash flow statement.
• Capital Expenditures (CapEx) represent the funds a company spends on acquiring, maintaining, or improving its physical assets and can also be found in the financial statements.

Alternatively, FCF can be calculated using the following formula:

FCF = Net Income + Depreciation & Amortisation – Change in Working Capital – Capital Expenditures

Interpreting Free Cash Flow

Interpreting free cash flow requires context and comparison. Positive FCF indicates that a company is generating more cash than it is spending on operations and investments. Negative FCF, on the other hand, may signal that a company is struggling to generate sufficient cash flow to cover its expenses and investments.

It’s essential to analyse free cash flow trends over time and compare them to industry benchmarks and peer companies to assess relative performance accurately.

Importance of Free Cash Flow

Free cash flow is widely regarded as a key indicator of a company’s financial health and sustainability for several reasons:

• Financial Flexibility: Positive free cash flow indicates that a company has the financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities, repay debt, distribute dividends to shareholders, or engage in share buybacks.
• Investment Potential: Investors often view companies with consistently positive free cash flow as more attractive investment opportunities since it demonstrates the company’s ability to generate cash returns.
• Debt Servicing: Positive free cash flow enables a company to service its debt obligations more comfortably, reducing the risk of financial distress or default.
• Value Creation: Free cash flow is closely linked to shareholder value creation. Companies that consistently generate free cash flow can reinvest in their business or return capital to shareholders, enhancing overall shareholder returns.

Limitations of Free Cash Flow

Potential for Manipulation

Since free cash flow includes maintenance capital expenditures, which are not audited or required under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), management has discretion over disclosing this information. This discretion can lead to skewed free cash flow figures, creating challenges for investors in accurately assessing a company’s financial position.

‘Lumpiness’ in Capital Expenditures

Free cash flow is also affected by the inherent ‘lumpiness’ of capital expenditures. These expenditures, a key component of free cash flow, can be infrequent but costly when they occur. Consequently, free cash flow figures may fluctuate significantly from year to year, making it difficult to establish a norm or predict future cash flows reliably.

Incomplete Picture of Working Capital Changes

While free cash flow provides insights into changes in working capital, it does not always offer a comprehensive picture. For instance, a decrease in accounts payable could signal faster payment requirements from vendors or efficient cash management. Similarly, an increase in inventory could signify either a build-up of unsold products or strategic preparation for increased demand. 

What’s the Difference Between Free Cash Flow and Net Income?

Net income reflects the total profit generated by a company after deducting all expenses, including operating costs, interest, taxes, and depreciation. It is a measure of profitability over a specific period. On the other hand, free cash flow measures the cash generated by a company’s operations after accounting for capital expenditures necessary to maintain or expand its asset base. 

While net income is an accounting metric that includes non-cash items and does not necessarily represent actual cash flow, free cash flow focuses solely on the cash available to the company for distribution to shareholders, debt repayment, or reinvestment in the business.

The Bottom Line

Free cash flow stands as a pivotal metric in finance, offering insights into a company’s financial robustness and operational efficiency. It serves as a barometer of a company’s cash-generating capacity beyond its basic expenses and capital investments, shedding light on its ability to fuel growth, manage debt, and create value for shareholders. However, while free cash flow provides a valuable lens through which to gauge a company’s financial health, it’s important to combine it with other financial metrics for a thorough analysis of a company’s performance.