This company has been moved to the archive! The financial data has not been updated since April 24, 2020.
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.
The cash flow profile from December 2013 to March 2020 is characterized by consistent operating cash generation, aggressive strategic investments, and a disciplined approach to shareholder returns. Operating activities generally provide the primary source of liquidity, though this is subject to notable quarterly volatility driven by working capital fluctuations.
Operating Cash Flow Trends
Cash provided by operating activities remains positive throughout the period, with recurring peaks typically observed in the September quarters. For instance, significant inflows were recorded in September 2014 (1,408 million), September 2015 (1,101 million), and September 2019 (1,204 million). Net earnings show a higher degree of volatility compared to overall operating cash flow, often influenced by non-cash adjustments such as depreciation, amortization, and periodic goodwill impairments, most notably a 508 million impairment in September 2014.
Working Capital Management
Changes in operating working capital exhibit erratic swings, particularly within receivables and inventories. Large outflows in receivables often alternate with significant inflows, suggesting seasonal cycles in billing and collections. Similarly, inventory levels fluctuate, with substantial cash outflows in December 2014 and December 2019, indicating periodic stocking or production build-ups.
Investment and Capital Expenditure Strategy
Capital expenditures are maintained at a relatively steady pace, generally ranging between 100 million and 200 million per quarter, with a notable increase to 303 million in September 2018. Investing activities are heavily influenced by a strategic cycle of acquisitions and divestitures. A major capital deployment occurred in June 2017, with 2,975 million used for the purchase of businesses. This aggressive acquisition strategy is balanced by periodic divestitures, including a substantial inflow of 1,391 million in March 2015 and significant cash flows from discontinued operations in December 2016 (3,722 million).
Financing and Shareholder Distributions
Financing activities are predominantly characterized by consistent outflows for shareholder returns. Dividend payments are exceptionally stable, remaining between 300 million and 326 million per quarter throughout the entire period. Common stock repurchases are more opportunistic and volatile, with significant buyback activity in March 2015 (842 million) and December 2018 (786 million). To support these distributions and strategic investments, the company utilizes short-term borrowings extensively, evidenced by large fluctuations in short-term debt balances.
Liquidity and Debt Profile
The reliance on short-term borrowing is apparent in the frequent and large shifts in short-term debt, such as the 2,225 million repayment in December 2016 and the 1,322 million increase in March 2020. Long-term debt is managed less frequently, with significant proceeds recorded in June 2019 (1,135 million) and September 2019 (556 million), likely used to restructure obligations or fund long-term growth initiatives.