Cash flows from investing activities definition — AccountingTools (2024)

How to Interpret Cash Flows from Investing Activities

The cash flows from investing activities line item is one of the more important items on the statement of cash flows, for it can be a substantial source or use of cash that significantly offsets any positive or negative amounts of cash flow generated from operations. It is particularly important in capital-heavy industries, such as manufacturing, that require large investments in fixed assets. When a business is reporting persistently negative net cash flows for the purchase of fixed assets, this is a strong indicator that the firm is in growth mode, and believes that it can generate a positive return on additional investments.

It can also be useful to examine these cash flows on a trend line. When there is a steady decline in investments in fixed assets, it can imply that management does not believe there are good investment opportunities within the business. If so, there should be an increase in dividend payouts, because management has chosen to instead send excess cash back to investors. Alternatively, a decline in investments in fixed assets could imply that the firm is not profitable, and no longer has the cash to make further investments. If so, the profit figure on the firm’s income statement should be low or negative.

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Cash flows from investing activities definition —  AccountingTools (2024)

FAQs

Cash flows from investing activities definition — AccountingTools? ›

Cash flow from investing activities refers to cash inflow and outflow of cash from investing in assets (including intangibles), purchasing of assets like property, plant and equipment, shares, debt, and from sale proceeds of assets or disposal of shares/debt or redemption of investments like a collection from loans ...

What is the definition of investing activities in cash flow? ›

Cash flow from investing activities involves long-term uses of cash. The purchase or sale of a fixed asset like property, plant, or equipment would be an investing activity. Also, proceeds from the sale of a division or cash out as a result of a merger or acquisition would fall under investing activities.

What is the cash inflow from investing activities? ›

Cash inflows (proceeds) from investing activities include:

Cash receipts from interest and dividends received as returns on loans (except for program loans), debt instruments of other agencies, equity securities, and cash management or investment pools.

How do you calculate cash flows from investing activities? ›

There isn't a singular agreed-upon formula, but the following formula is generally accepted: Cash flow from investing activities = CapEx/purchase of non-current assets + marketable securities + business acquisitions - divestitures.

Which one of these is the definition of cash flows from investing activities? ›

which one of these is the definition of cash flows from investing activities? cash flow from investing activities is defined as the cash flows associated with the purchase or sale of fixed or other long-term assets.

What is the simple definition of investing activities? ›

In accounting, investing activities refers to the purchase and sale of long-term assets and other business investments within a specific reporting period. Investing activities are, in fact, one of the main categories of cash activities that your business would be reporting on its cash flow statement.

What is the difference between financing and investing activities in cash flow statement? ›

Investing activities include cash activities related to noncurrent assets. Financing activities include cash activities related to noncurrent liabilities and owners' equity.

Is borrowing money an investing activity? ›

If a company borrows money, this is a financing activity. There are some inflows from financing activities including borrowing money or selling common stock. Outflows from financing activities include paying the principal part of debt (a loan payment), buying back your own stock or paying a dividend to investors.

Is paying dividends an investing activity? ›

Dividends paid are classified as financing activities. Interest and dividends received or paid are classified in a consistent manner as either operating, investing or financing cash activities.

Which of the following is an example of an investing activity? ›

Investing activities can include:

Acquisitions of other businesses or companies. Proceeds from the sale of other businesses (divestitures) Purchases of marketable securities (i.e., stocks, bonds, etc.) Proceeds from the sale of marketable securities.

What cash flows from investing activities do not include? ›

Items not to include when calculating cash flow from investing activities
  • Regular income and expense transactions.
  • Interest payments.
  • Dividends.
  • Depreciation of capital assets.
  • Debt or equity financing.

Which of the following items appears in the investing activities section? ›

Explanation: The item that appears in the investing activities section of the statement of cash flows is b. cash outflow for the purchase of land. Investing activities include transactions related to the acquisition or disposal of long-term assets and investments.

What does it mean when cash flow from investing activities on a company's cash flow statement is negative? ›

Negative investing cash flow occurs when a company spends more cash on its investing activities than it receives from them. This means that the company is using its cash to buy or improve its fixed assets, such as buildings, machinery, or technology.

What are the three types of cash flow activities? ›

The cash flow statement is broken down into three categories: Operating activities, investment activities, and financing activities.

What does a negative cash flow from investing activities mean? ›

Negative investing cash flow occurs when a company spends more cash on its investing activities than it receives from them. This means that the company is using its cash to buy or improve its fixed assets, such as buildings, machinery, or technology.

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