HOW TO ACCOUNT FOR FINANCIAL ANALYSIS & PLANNING Part-20

                                         Determination of cash flow from operating Activities. 

The amount of money that a company normally generates or spends on its everyday operations over the course of a year is referred to as cash flow from operating activities. It is a crucial indicator of the financial health of a firm since it shows how much money is available for debt repayment, reinvestment, and other uses. 

For calculating cash flow from operating operations, there are two methods: 

   

1) Indirect approach: The indirect approach begins with net income and then makes adjustments for non-cash items and adjustments to working capital accounts. The indirect method's equation is as follows: 

Cash Flow from Operational Activities = Net Income + Depreciation/Amortization +/- Changes in Operating Assets and Liabilities. 

Accounts receivable, inventory, accounts payable, and other things that have an impact on a company's cash flow are examples of operating assets and liabilities. 

2) The direct technique does not begin with net income; instead, it determines the cash inflows and outflows from operating operations directly. The direct method's formula is: 

Cash Flow from Operational Activities is equal to Cash Inflow - Cash Outflow. 

Customers' cash payments, interest income, and other cash receipts are all examples of cash inflows. Payments made to suppliers, employees, and other expenses are considered cash outflows. 

Since it is simpler to compute and gives more specific information about the company's operations, most businesses calculate cash flow from operational activities using the indirect approach. 

                                                                                                

Operations. Nonetheless, both approaches can be used to determine cash flow from operating operations, and investors and analysts should carefully analyze a company's cash flow statement to comprehend its financial situation. 

                                              Determination of cash flow from investing Activities. 

The amount of money earned or spent by a company's investments in long-term assets over a specific time period, usually a year, is referred to as cash flow from investing activities. It is a crucial indicator of a business's capital expenditures and can shed light on its future potential for expansion. 

Activities that generate cash flow from investments include a wide range of different types of activities, such as:   1) Cash used to purchase or sell long-term assets like land, buildings, and machinery is included in the definition of  "purchase or sale of property, plant, and equipment (PP&E)". 

2) Investment purchase or sale: This refers to the use of money to buy or sell investments, such as stocks,  bonds, and other securities. 

                                                                                          

3) Cash used to fund loans to other businesses or entities is included in this category of loans. 

4) Receiving main payments on loans includes receiving money from the repaid loans issued to other organizations. 

Use the following formula to determine cash flow from investing activities:  

The cash flow from investing activities is equal to cash inflows minus cash outflows. 

The sale of long-term assets or investments, as well as any principal payments on loans, are all considered cash inflows. Cash outflows comprise any loans provided to other businesses, as well as any funds used to buy long-term assets or investments. 

To comprehend a firm's cash flow from investing operations, investors and analysts should carefully analyze the cash flow statement of the company. A corporation that generates positive cash flow from investing operations is likely investing in its future growth, while one that generates negative cash flow from investing activities may be selling off or downsizing its long-term holdings. 

 

 

 

 

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