free cash flow

Free Cash Flow - FCF

A measure of financial performance calculated as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. In other words, free cash flow (FCF) represents the cash that a company is able to generate after laying out the money required to maintain/expand the company's asset base. Free cash flow is important because it allows a company to pursue opportunities that enhance shareholder value. Without cash, it's tough to develop new products, make acquisitions, pay dividends, reduce debt, etc.

Investopedia Commentary

Some believe that Wall Street focuses myopically on earnings while ignoring the "real" cash that a firm generates. Earnings can often be clouded by accounting gimmicks, but it's tougher to fake cash flow. For this reason, some investors believe that FCF give a much clearer view of the ability to generate cash (and thus profits).

It is important to note that negative free cash flow is not bad in itself. If free cash flow is negative, it could be a sign that a company is making large investments. If these investments earn a high return, the strategy has the potential to pay off in the long run.

Related Links

Taking Stock Of Discounted Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow: Free, But Not Always Easy
The Essentials Of Cash Flow

See also: Free Cash Flow for the Firm, Free Cash Flow per share

Also spelled: FCF