Net Cash From Continuing Operations (Historical)
Returns the net cash provided by or used in continuing operations for a company. This represents the cash generated from the company's ongoing core business activities, excluding any discontinued operations.
Understanding the Metric
This is a key measure of a company's ability to generate cash from its core business:
- Positive value indicates the business generates cash from operations
- Negative value indicates operations are consuming cash (often a concern)
This excludes cash flows from:
- Discontinued operations (shown separately)
- Investing activities
- Financing activities
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Stock ticker (e.g., AAPL, MSFT) |
| Year | Fiscal year or period code (lq, ly, lq-1, ly-1, lt, lt-1) |
| Quarter | Optional: 1, 2, 3, or 4 (default: 1) |
| TTM | Optional: "TTM" for trailing twelve months |
Period Codes
| Code | Meaning |
|---|---|
| lq | Last reported quarter |
| lq-1 | Quarter before last |
| ly | Last fiscal year |
| ly-1 | Year before last |
| lt | Last trailing twelve months |
| lt-1 | Prior trailing twelve months |
Syntax
=hf_Net_cash_from_continuing_operations(Symbol, Year, [Quarter], [TTM])Parameters
Stock ticker symbol
Fiscal year (e.g., 2023) or period code (lq, lq-1, ly, ly-1, lt, lt-1)
Calendar quarter (1-4)
Set to 'TTM' for trailing twelve months
Returns
Net cash provided by or used in continuing operations (in currency units)
Examples
=hf_Net_cash_from_continuing_operations("AAPL", 2023, 4)=hf_Net_cash_from_continuing_operations("MSFT", "ly")=hf_Net_cash_from_continuing_operations("GOOGL", 2023, , "TTM")=hf_Net_cash_from_continuing_operations(A1, B1, C1)=hf_Net_cash_from_continuing_operations("AMZN", "lq")When to Use
- Evaluating core business cash generation
- Calculating free cash flow
- Assessing ability to fund operations internally
- Comparing operating efficiency across companies
- Building valuation and DCF models
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need cash from discontinued operations | hf_Net_cash_from_discontinued_operations() |
| Need investing cash flow | Check investing activity functions |
| Need financing cash flow | Check financing activity functions |
| Need total cash change | hf_Net_change_in_cash_and_cash_equivalents() |
Common Issues & FAQ
How does this differ from net income?
Operating cash flow adjusts net income for non-cash items (depreciation, stock comp) and working capital changes. It shows actual cash generated, not accounting profit.
Why is cash flow sometimes higher than net income?
Non-cash charges like depreciation and amortization are added back. Companies with high depreciation often have operating cash flow exceeding net income.
What about discontinued operations?
If the company has disposed of or is disposing of business segments, those cash flows are reported separately. Use hf_Net_cash_from_discontinued_operations() for that portion.
Related Formulas
More MarketXLS Historical Fundamentals formulas you can use in the same worksheet:
- Net Income (Historical)
- Net Income Common Stock (Historical)
- Net Income Common Stock USD (Historical)
- Net Income from Continuing Operations (Historical)
- Net Income From Discontinued Operations (Historical)
- Net Income from Total Operations (Historical)
- Net Income Growth (Historical)
- Net Income Loss (Historical)
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