Cash Flow Statement
Quarterly Data
The cash flow statement provides information about a company cash receipts and cash payments during an accounting period, showing how these cash flows link the ending cash balance to the beginning balance shown on the company balance sheet.
The cash flow statement consists of three parts: cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities, cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities, and cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities.
Based on: 10-Q (reporting date: 2016-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2016-06-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-03-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2015-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2015-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2015-06-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-03-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2014-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2014-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2014-06-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-03-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2013-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2013-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2013-06-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-03-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2012-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2012-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2012-06-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2012-03-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2011-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2011-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2011-06-30), 10-K (reporting date: 2011-03-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2010-12-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2010-09-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2010-06-30).
The analysis of cash flow patterns between June 2010 and September 2016 reveals a business characterized by significant volatility in operating cash flows, aggressive inorganic growth through acquisitions, and a strategic use of debt to manage liquidity during large capital expenditures.
- Operating Cash Flow Trends
- Net income exhibits a general upward trajectory, growing from approximately 298 million in mid-2010 to peak values exceeding 600 million in 2015, despite occasional quarterly dips. Cash flow from operations is highly erratic, with extreme fluctuations driven primarily by changes in working capital. Significant volatility is observed in receivables and inventories, often offset by substantial increases in drafts and accounts payable. For instance, a peak in net cash provided by operating activities of 3,106 million occurred in March 2016, contrasted by a deficit of 685 million in December 2015, highlighting a cyclical or seasonal reliance on supplier credit.
- Investment and Acquisition Strategy
- Investing activities are consistently negative, reflecting a sustained commitment to capital expenditures and business expansion. Payments for property, plant, and equipment and capitalized software expenditures remain relatively stable, typically ranging between 70 million and 150 million combined per quarter. The primary driver of investing outflows is acquisition activity, most notably in June 2014, where net cash used for acquisitions reached 4,518 million. Other significant acquisition spikes are noted in March 2013 and March 2016, indicating a strategic pattern of periodic, large-scale expansions.
- Financing and Capital Structure
- Financing activities demonstrate a sophisticated use of short-term and long-term debt to fund acquisitions and maintain liquidity. A massive surge in short-term borrowing proceeds (5,995 million) and long-term debt issuance (4,114 million) in June 2014 aligns directly with the period of peak acquisition spending. Shareholder returns are managed through consistent dividend payments, which increased incrementally from 33 million per quarter in 2010 to 66 million by 2016. Share repurchases occur irregularly but in significant volumes, such as the 1,202 million spent in March 2012 and 652 million in September 2015, suggesting a flexible approach to equity management based on available cash reserves.
- Liquidity and Cash Position
- The net increase or decrease in cash and cash equivalents is subject to severe swings, mirroring the timing of major acquisitions and the subsequent financing rounds. While the company frequently experiences quarters of significant cash depletion during investment phases, these are typically neutralized by rapid inflows from financing activities or strong operating recoveries. The overall pattern suggests a high-growth strategy where operational cash generation is augmented by credit markets to facilitate scale.
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