WELCOME [ Log In · Register ]        SITE [ Search · Page Index · Recent Changes ]    RSS

Negative Cash Flow

Stated simply, negative cash flow occurs in any accounting period in which total cash outflows exceed total cash inflows.  Negative cash flow can be thought of as any situation in which a company spends more cash than it receives.  Negative cash flow can be sustained by a company for only a limited amount of time.  At some point, the company will run out of cash even if it has the abilty to raise cash by borrowing or by selling stock.

Having positive cash flow is a critical success factor for a business to survive and to thrive. Some debtor companies will show a profit, have a reasonably strong Balance Sheet, report increasing sales but go out of business because the company simply does not have the available cash to pay its expenses as they come due.

© 2010 by Michael C. Dennis.  All Rights Reserved.