What is Positive Cash Flow – Definition, Example, and FAQ | Mindmesh (2024)

What is positive cash flow?

Definition: Positive cash flow refers to a situation in which a business or other organization generates more cash than it spends over a given period of time. In other words, positive cash flow occurs when the cash inflows (such as revenue from sales or investment income) exceed the cash outflows (such as expenses and debt payments).

Positive cash flow is an important indicator of financial health, showing that an organization has sufficient cash available to meet its financial obligations and fund its operations.

It can also be a sign of future growth and stability, as it suggests that the organization is generating sufficient cash to invest in new opportunities or to build up reserves for leaner times.

Positive cash flow example

A small retail store generates $50,000 in revenue from the sale of its products in a month. The store's monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, payroll, and other expenses, total $30,000.

This means that the store has a net cash flow of $50,000 - $30,000 = $20,000 for the month.

In this case, the store has a positive cash flow of $20,000, meaning it has more cash coming in than going out.

This positive cash flow can help the store to meet its financial obligations, such as paying its bills and employees and to invest in growth opportunities, such as expanding its product line or marketing efforts.

It can also help the store to build up its cash reserves, which can provide a financial cushion in case of unexpected expenses or downturns in business.

Does cash flow positive mean profitable?

Most of the time, but this isn't always the case. A company can have positive cash flow without making a profit. An organization may record a net loss but receive enough money from cash inflows to offset the loss and have a positive cash flow.

What are the three types of cash flow?

  1. Cash flow from operations (CFO), or operating cash flow
  2. Cash flow from investing (CFI), or investing cash flow
  3. Cash flows from financing (CFF), or financing cash flow

What is Positive Cash Flow – Definition, Example, and FAQ | Mindmesh (2024)

FAQs

What is Positive Cash Flow – Definition, Example, and FAQ | Mindmesh? ›

Positive cash flow occurs when more cash flows into your business than flows out of it. 🤑However, negative cash flow occurs when your cash outflow exceeds your cash inflow. 💸 Positive cash flow means a company has enough cash on hand to cover its operating expenses–like payroll, utilities, and raw materials.

What is a positive cash flow example? ›

Positive cash flow example

A small retail store generates $50,000 in revenue from the sale of its products in a month. The store's monthly expenses, including rent, utilities, payroll, and other expenses, total $30,000. This means that the store has a net cash flow of $50,000 - $30,000 = $20,000 for the month.

What is a good example of cash flow? ›

Cash Flow from Operating Activities

For most small businesses, Operating Activities will include most of your cash flow. That's because operating activities are what you do to get revenue. If you run a pizza shop, it's the cash you spend on ingredients and labor, and the cash you earn from selling pies.

How would you describe a good cash flow? ›

Positive cash flow indicates that a company's liquid assets are increasing, enabling it to cover obligations, reinvest in its business, return money to shareholders, pay expenses, and provide a buffer against future financial challenges.

What is calculated for positive cash flow? ›

The net cash flow figure for any period is calculated as current assets minus current liabilities. Ongoing positive cash flow points to a company that is operating on a strong footing.

What are the three ways to create a positive cash flow? ›

Ways to increase cash flow for a business include offering discounts for early payments, leasing not buying, improving inventory, conducting consumer credit checks, and using high-interest savings accounts.

Is it good to have positive cash flow? ›

Positive cash flow indicates that a company's liquid assets are increasing. This enables it to settle debts, reinvest in its business, return money to shareholders, pay expenses, and provide a buffer against future financial challenges. Negative cash flow indicates that a company's liquid assets are decreasing.

Is positive cash flow the same as profit? ›

Profit is defined as revenue less expenses. It may also be referred to as net income. Cash flow refers to the inflows and outflows of cash for a particular business. Positive cash flow occurs when there's more money coming in at any given time, while negative cash flow means there's more money out.

What is a cash flow statement in simple words? ›

A cash flow statement is a financial statement that shows how cash entered and exited a company during an accounting period. Cash coming in and out of a business is referred to as cash flows, and accountants use these statements to record, track, and report these transactions.

What is the most important cash flow activity? ›

Answer: The operating activities section of the statement of cash flows is generally regarded as the most important section since it provides cash flow information related to the daily operations of the business.

What is positive cash flow from operating activities? ›

The cash flow from operating activities formula shows you the success (or not) of your core business activities. If your business has a positive cash flow from operating activities, you may be able to fund growth projects, launch new products, pay dividends, reduce the company's debt, and so on.

How do you manage positive cash flow? ›

Best Practices in Managing Healthy Cash Flow
  1. Monitor your cash flow closely. ...
  2. Make projections frequently. ...
  3. Identify issues early. ...
  4. Understand basic accounting. ...
  5. Have an emergency backup plan. ...
  6. Grow carefully. ...
  7. Invoice quickly. ...
  8. Use technology wisely and effectively.

How do you know if a cash flow is positive or negative? ›

To find the source of negative cash flow, subtract payables from your receivables. If your receivables less your payables results in a negative number, you have negative cash flow from operations. The amount of your income is less than the expenses you must pay.

What companies are cash flow positive? ›

12 Stocks from Companies Generating High Cash Flow
  • Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) ...
  • Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:BABA) Free Cash Flow Trailing Twelve Months: $24.2 billion. ...
  • AbbVie Inc. (NYSE:ABBV) ...
  • Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE:WFC) ...
  • Berkshire Hathaway Inc. ...
  • UnitedHealth Group Inc. ...
  • Shell Plc (NYSE:SHEL)
Nov 13, 2023

What are the three types of cash flows with examples? ›

There are three cash flow types that companies should track and analyze to determine the liquidity and solvency of the business: cash flow from operating activities, cash flow from investing activities and cash flow from financing activities. All three are included on a company's cash flow statement.

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