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 indicates that a company brings in more money than it is spending and has enough cash to continue operating. Negative cash flow is the opposite of this — when there is more cash outflow than inflow into the company.

Is positive cash flow good or bad? ›

Positive cash flow is a good thing for any business since it indicates that the company generates more revenue than it is spending. It depicts that the business is maintaining a healthy cash balance.

How to make a cash flow positive? ›

11 Strategies to Help Generate Positive Cash Flow
  1. Bootstrap the Business.
  2. Talk With Vendors to Negotiate Terms.
  3. Save on Production Cost with Technology.
  4. Delay Expenses.
  5. Start a Partner Referral Program.
  6. Have Operating Assets.
  7. Send Invoices Early.
  8. Check Your Inventory.

What is the statement of cash flows and what are some questions it answers? ›

The cash flow statement makes adjustments to the information recorded on your income statement, so you see your net cash flow—the precise amount of cash you have on hand for that time period. For example, depreciation is recorded as a monthly expense.

What is the definition of cash flow? ›

What is Cash Flow? Cash flow refers to the net balance of cash moving into and out of a business at a specific point in time. Cash is constantly moving into and out of a business. For example, when a retailer purchases inventory, money flows out of the business toward its suppliers.

What is an example of a positive cash flow? ›

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.

Can a company be cash flow positive but not profitable? ›

If a company has a net loss for the period and has a large depreciation expense amount added back into the cash flow statement, the company could record positive cash flow, while simultaneously recording a loss for the period.

Where to invest for positive cash flow? ›

A Review of the 11 Best Cash Flow Investments
  • Online Businesses. ...
  • High-Yield Savings Accounts. ...
  • Long-Term Certificates of Deposit (CDs) ...
  • Dividend Stock Funds. ...
  • Value Stock Funds. ...
  • Small-Cap Stock Funds. ...
  • Real Estate Syndications. ...
  • Renting Single-Family Homes.

What are the three types of cash flow? ›

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.

Can a company with positive cash flow be in financial trouble? ›

Positive cash flows from operating activities are generally viewed as a sign of financial health. However, a company can still be in trouble even if it has positive cash flows from its operations. This can occur if the company's operating expenses are too high relative to its revenue.

What does a positive net cash flow indicate? ›

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.

How to check cash flow is correct? ›

How can you ensure cash flow statement accuracy?
  1. Review your income statement and balance sheet.
  2. Categorize your cash flows correctly. ...
  3. Use the indirect method for operating cash flows. ...
  4. Reconcile your cash flows with your bank statements. ...
  5. Use accounting software and tools. ...
  6. Here's what else to consider.
Sep 14, 2023

What four things a cash flow statement tells you? ›

A cash flow statement breaks down the cash inflows and outflows across operating, investing, and financing activities, offering insights into operational efficiency, investment health, financial flexibility, and liquidity.

Is cash flow good or bad? ›

Companies and investors naturally like to see positive cash flow from all of a company's operations, but having negative cash flow from investing activities is not always bad. To make an evaluation of a company's investing activities, investors need to review the company's particular situation in greater detail.

What is cash flow answer in one sentence? ›

A cash flow statement is a financial statement that shows how changes in balance sheet accounts and income affect cash and cash equivalents, and breaks the analysis down to operating, investing, and financing activities.

What is the best explanation of cash flow? ›

A cash flow statement is a financial statement that summarizes the amount of cash flowing into and out of a company. This includes all cash inflows a company receives from its ongoing operations and external investment sources.

Is negative cash flow good or bad? ›

One-off occurrences of negative cash flow are normal and inevitable in business. However, when negative cash flow stretches for months, you should be worried. If your expenses continuously outweigh revenue, it will become for you to meet up with running costs, break-even, and make a profit.

What is considered good cash flow? ›

To have a healthy free cash flow, you want to have enough free cash on hand to be able to pay all of your company's bills and costs for a month, and the more you surpass that number, the better. Some investors and analysts believe that a good free cash flow for a SaaS company is anywhere from about 20% to 25%.

What does positive money flow mean? ›

If today's Typical Price is greater than yesterday's Typical Price, it is considered Positive Money Flow. If today's price is less, it is considered Negative Money Flow. Positive Money Flow is the sum of the Positive Money over the specified number of periods.

How do you know if cash flow is good? ›

Positive cash flow implies that the company earned more money than it spent, while positive operating cash flow indicates that the company's core operations generate money, and prudent investing and financing activities indicate that the company is investing and financing sensibly.

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