Free Cash Flow (Historical)
Returns the historical free cash flow (FCF) for a company. Free cash flow represents cash generated after accounting for capital expenditures.
Formula
FCF = Operating Cash Flow - Capital Expenditures
Parameters
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | Yes | Stock ticker symbol |
| Year | Yes | Fiscal year or period code |
| Quarter | No | Quarter 1-4 |
| TTM | No | "TTM" for trailing twelve months |
Importance
- Indicates financial health and flexibility
- Cash available for dividends, buybacks, debt repayment
- Key metric for DCF valuation models
Examples
=hf_Free_Cash_Flow("AAPL", 2023, 4)=hf_Free_Cash_Flow("MSFT", "ly")=hf_Free_Cash_Flow("GOOGL", 2023, , "TTM")When to Use
- DCF valuation modeling
- Assessing dividend sustainability
- Analyzing financial flexibility
- Comparing cash generation across companies
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| FCF per share | hf_Free_Cash_Flow_per_Share() |
| Operating cash flow | hf_Net_Cash_Flow_from_Operating() |
| Current FCF | FreeCashFlow() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: Why is FCF negative? A: High capital expenditures or negative operating cash flow can result in negative FCF, common in growth companies.
Q: What's a good FCF? A: Depends on industry and company size. Positive and growing FCF is generally preferred.
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