Operating Cash Flow Growth Rate
Analyze operating cash flow trends to determine business predictability and financial health.
From earlier year
Current or recent year
Operating Cash Flow Growth Rate
0%
Formula
What is Operating Cash Flow?
Operating Cash Flow (OCF) represents the cash generated by a company's core business operations. Unlike earnings, cash flow is harder to manipulate and provides a clearer picture of a company's financial health.
Rule #1 Guideline
Look for companies with operating cash flow growth of 10% or higher consistently over the past 10 years. Growing cash flow confirms that earnings quality is high.
Why Cash Flow Growth Matters
- • Cash is King: Unlike earnings, cash flow shows actual money flowing into the business.
- • Quality Check: If cash flow growth matches earnings growth, the earnings are likely real.
- • Sustainability: Strong cash flow enables dividends, buybacks, and debt repayment.
Cash Flow vs. Earnings
Earnings can be manipulated through accounting methods, but cash flow is much harder to fake. That's why Rule #1 investors check if cash flow growth aligns with EPS growth. If a company shows growing earnings but flat or declining cash flow, that's a red flag.
Where to Find OCF Data
Operating Cash Flow is found on the Cash Flow Statement in a company's annual report or 10-K filing. Look for "Cash Flow from Operating Activities" or "Operating Cash Flow."
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