Net Cash Flow From Investing (Historical)
Returns the historical net cash flow from investing activities (CFI). This includes cash spent on or received from capital expenditures, acquisitions, investments, and asset sales.
Parameters
| Parameter | Required | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Symbol | Yes | Stock ticker symbol (e.g., AAPL, MSFT) |
| Year | Yes | Fiscal year (2023) or period code (lq, ly) |
| Quarter | No | Quarter number 1-4 (default: 1) |
| TTM | No | Set to "TTM" for trailing twelve months |
Components
| Typical Items | Cash Flow Impact |
|---|---|
| Capital Expenditures | Outflow (negative) |
| Acquisitions | Outflow (negative) |
| Asset Sales | Inflow (positive) |
| Investment Purchases | Outflow (negative) |
| Investment Sales | Inflow (positive) |
Notes
- Usually negative for growing companies (investing in future)
- Positive CFI may indicate asset sales or divestments
- Includes both CapEx and M&A activity
- Large negative CFI with large positive CFO is healthy growth pattern
Examples
=hf_Net_Cash_Flow_from_Investing("AAPL", 2023, 4)=hf_Net_Cash_Flow_from_Investing("MSFT", "ly")=hf_Net_Cash_Flow_from_Investing("BRK.B", 2023, , "TTM")=hf_Net_Cash_Flow_from_Investing(A1, B1, C1)When to Use
- Analyzing capital allocation strategy
- Understanding M&A activity
- Complete cash flow analysis
- Investment intensity assessment
- Comparing CapEx vs total investing
When NOT to Use
Common Issues & FAQ
Q: Why is investing cash flow negative? A: Negative CFI is normal and healthy - it means the company is investing in growth (CapEx, acquisitions, investments).
Q: What if CFI is positive? A: Positive CFI usually indicates the company is selling assets or liquidating investments. This may be concerning if persistent.
Q: How do I separate CapEx from acquisitions?
A: Use hf_Capital_Expenditure() for CapEx alone. The difference (CFI - CapEx) indicates M&A and investment activity.
