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Operating Cash Flow (OCF)

Operating cash flow (OCF) refers to the cash generated by a company’s core business operations, excluding long-term capital investments and financing activities. It indicates how well a company’s day-to-day activities generate enough cash to maintain and grow its operations. OCF is a crucial indicator of a company’s financial health, as it shows how efficiently the business converts sales into cash.

Example

A company’s operating cash flow statement shows $200,000 in cash generated from product sales after subtracting operating expenses like salaries and rent.

Key points

Represents cash generated by core business operations.

Excludes capital investments and financing activities.

A key measure of a company’s ability to maintain operations and generate cash.

Quick Answers to Curious Questions

OCF provides insight into a company’s ability to generate sufficient cash to cover operational expenses, reflecting its financial health.

OCF measures actual cash inflows and outflows, while net income includes non-cash items like depreciation and is subject to accounting adjustments.

Factors like changes in working capital, sales volume, and operational efficiency can significantly impact a company’s OCF.
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