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: 2019-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-04-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2019-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2018-10-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2018-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2018-04-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2018-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2017-10-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2017-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2017-04-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2017-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2016-10-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2016-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2016-04-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2016-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2015-10-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2015-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2015-04-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2015-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2014-10-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2014-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2014-04-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2014-01-31), 10-K (reporting date: 2013-10-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2013-07-31), 10-Q (reporting date: 2013-04-30), 10-Q (reporting date: 2013-01-31).
The financial trajectory over the analyzed period is characterized by a significant structural shift occurring around late 2015 and early 2016, coinciding with a major corporate reorganization. Operating cash flows remained generally positive throughout the period, although they exhibited substantial volatility and a downward trend in magnitude following the corporate transition. Financing activities were heavily influenced by large-scale debt movements and a massive one-time cash transfer, while shareholder returns remained a consistent priority.
- Operating Activities and Earnings Quality
- Net earnings demonstrated a period of relative stability between 2013 and 2015, typically ranging from 800 million to 1.4 billion US dollars per quarter. However, a noticeable decline occurred in 2016 and 2017, with earnings frequently falling below 700 million US dollars, before exhibiting increased volatility in 2018. A critical inflection point is observed in depreciation and amortization expenses, which dropped precipitously from approximately 1 billion US dollars per quarter prior to October 2015 to approximately 100 million US dollars per quarter thereafter. This suggests a substantial reduction in the asset base. Net cash provided by operating activities remained robust in the early period, often exceeding 2.5 billion US dollars, but shifted to a lower baseline of 600 million to 1.5 billion US dollars in later years, with a notable outlier of negative 108 million US dollars in January 2016.
- Investing Patterns and Capital Expenditure
- Capital expenditures for property, plant, and equipment followed a pattern mirroring the depreciation trends; investments were high, often between 600 million and 1 billion US dollars per quarter, until late 2015, after which they stabilized at a much lower level of 100 million to 200 million US dollars. Investment activities were further impacted by sporadic large-scale business acquisitions, most notably a 2.478 billion US dollar outflow in July 2015. The net cash used in investing activities became less aggressive following the corporate split, moving from billion-dollar quarterly outflows to more modest fluctuations.
- Financing Strategy and Shareholder Returns
- Financing activities were dominated by a massive structural event in January 2016, featuring a net transfer of 10.375 billion US dollars to Hewlett Packard Enterprise Company. Debt management was characterized by high-volume activity, including a peak issuance of 14.765 billion US dollars in October 2015, offset by a concurrent debt payment of 13.225 billion US dollars. Despite these fluctuations, the company maintained a disciplined approach to shareholder returns. Cash dividends were paid consistently, averaging between 210 million and 330 million US dollars per quarter. Common stock repurchases were more aggressive and volatile, with expenditures ranging from minimal amounts to peaks of 1.571 billion US dollars, indicating a strategic use of excess cash to manage share count.
- Liquidity and Cash Position
- The net change in cash and cash equivalents fluctuated wildly, driven primarily by financing outflows and the corporate restructuring. While the period began with steady cash growth, the 2016 transition created a deep deficit in quarterly cash movement. In the subsequent years, the cash position was managed through a combination of operating cash generation and strategic debt issuance, resulting in a cyclical pattern of increases and decreases in liquidity.
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