Differences Between Cash Flow and Net IncomeAmazon’s Net Income is $2.37 billion, and its Cash Flow from Operations is $16.44 billion. Why is there a difference between the two? Cash Flow and Net Income are two key factors in judging whether a company has been doing well or not. But how can we relate to each other? In this article, we will have a look at both cash flow and net Income to make sense of how they work. In this article, we will talk about the following – What are Cash Flows?The cash flow statement is completely different from the income statement. Let’s take an example to understand this. A company made revenue of $200 in 2016, and the expenses they have incurred were $110. That means, the net profit is $(200 – 110) = $90. But from the point of view of the cash flow statement, we need to consider the cash inflow and cash outflow. The company’s cash inflow was $170 (we didn’t collect the whole amount in 2016), and the cash outflow was $90 (the rest of the amount would be paid in 2017). So the net cash inflow is $(170 – 90) = $80. So it has been proven that even if the company made a profit of $90, its net cash inflow was $80. And there lies the importance of a cash flow statement. The cash flow statement helps an investor recognize the cash inflow and cash outflow of the company so that they don’t get allured by the hefty profits/ revenue). It has often been seen that net cash flow is negative for a company even after earning a whopping profit. So, without looking at the cash flow statement, an investor cannot conclude about the performance of a company year by year. What is Net Income?Profit or net income is the “bottom line” of the company’s income statement. To ascertain the profit or net income, a company needs to set up an income statement and determine the net balance of income and expenses. These income and expenses are reported because the transactions have been done whether or not the cash has been a pair or received. In the next section below, we will see how to set up a cash flow statement (direct & indirect method both) and income statements to ascertain the net income. Cash Flow from Operations format and exampleFirst, we will only look at the format of the indirect method of cash flow statements along with an example as it is directly related to the net income. And then, we will look at the format of net income and the example of the same. Computation of Cash Flow from Operating Activities
Now, let’s have a look at the example of the computation of cash flow from the operating activities of Amazon– source: Amazon SEC Filings You can see that in the example, we started with the net income and made all the adjustments mentioned above. Non-cash items like DepreciationDepreciation is a systematic allocation method used to account for the costs of any physical or tangible asset throughout its useful life. Its value indicates how much of an asset’s worth has been utilized. Depreciation enables companies to generate revenue from their assets while only charging a fraction of the cost of the asset in use each year. read more and amortization, stock-based compensationsStock-based compensation also called share-based compensation refers to the rewards given by the company to its employees by way of giving them the equity ownership rights in the company with the motive of aligning the interest of the management, shareholders and the employees of the company.read more are added back. Likewise, changes in operating assets and liabilities like Inventories, accounts receivablesAccounts receivables is the money owed to a business by clients for which the business has given services or delivered a product but has not yet collected payment. They are categorized as current assets on the balance sheet as the payments expected within a year. read more, accounts payablesAccounts payable is the amount due by a business to its suppliers or vendors for the purchase of products or services. It is categorized as current liabilities on the balance sheet and must be satisfied within an accounting period.read more, etc. You can learn Cash Flow Statements comprehensively from the following –
Net Income format and exampleAs you can see, to calculate the net cash flow, we need to refer to the net income (profit). After taking the net income into account, we can add back or deduct the respective adjustments and will ascertain the net cash flow from operating activities under the indirect cash flow method. So, let’s look at the format and the example so we can understand how to find out the net income in the first place. FormatPlease look at the basic format so we can understand what it is all about in the first place. And then, we will take an example to illustrate it.
Below is the snapshot of the Income Statement of Amazon. source: Amazon SEC Filings Now, if, as an investor, you need to set up a cash flow statement under the indirect method, you will be able to start with the net income. You can also learn about Income Statement from the following comprehensive articles.
Apple Cash flow vs Net IncomePositive Cash Flows and Postive Net IncomeSee below Apple’s Cash Flow from Operations and Net Income. Both its Net Income and Cash Flows have been positive. source: ycharts Which companies have positive cash flows and positive net income?There can be various reasons that can lead to positive cash flows and net income. Some of these are listed below –
Positive Cash Flows and Postive Net Income ExamplesBelow are some examples of top companies with Positive cash flows and positive net income.
Snap Inc: Cash flow vs Net IncomeNegative cash flows vs Negative net incomeSee below Snap’s Cash Flow from Operations and Net Income. Both its Net Income and Cash Flows are Negative. source: ycharts Which companies have Negative cash flows and Negative net income?
Negative Cash Flows and Negative Net Income ExamplesBelow are some examples of top companies with negative cash flows and net income.
Pearsons: Cash flow vs Net IncomePositive Cash Flow and Negative Net IncomePearsons Net Income is negative. However, its Cash Flow is positive. Why? See below Pearsons Cash Flow from Operations and Net Income. source: ycharts The real reason is the Impairment of Intangible Assets. We note that Pearson’s impairment of intangible assets of $2,505 million has led to huge losses in 2016. source: Persons SEC Filings Which companies have Postive cash flows and Negative net income?Some of the companies that may have the above traits are as follows –
Positive Cash flows and Negative Net Income ExamplesBelow are some examples of top companies with Postive cash flows and Negative net income.
Netflix: Cash flow vs Net IncomeNegative Cash Flows and Postive Net IncomePlease See below Netflix Cash Flow from Operations and Net Income. Netflix Net Income is Postive, however, its Cash Flows is Negative. Why? source: ycharts Let us have a look at Netflix Cashflow from Operating Activities. We note that additions to streaming content assets in Netflix is an operating expenseOperating expense (OPEX) is the cost incurred in the normal course of business and does not include expenses directly related to product manufacturing or service delivery. Therefore, they are readily available in the income statement and help to determine the net profit.read more ($8,653 million in 2016) and has led to Negative Cash Flow from Operating Activities. Negative Cash Flows and Postive Net Income ExamplesBelow are some examples of top companies with Negative cash flows and Positive net income.
ConclusionThe basic difference between net income and the net cash flow is following –
Cash Flow vs. Net Income VideoRecommended ArticlesThis has been a guide to Cash flow vs. Net Income. Here we discuss key differences between cash flow and net income with top examples like Apple, Snap Inc, Netflix, and Pearsons. You may also have a look at the following articles –
Does net income equal change in cash?In addition, sales are recognized as they are earned, rather than when the associated amounts of cash payments from customers are received. The result is a net income figure that does not reflect the amount of cash actually consumed or generated in a period.
Why profit in income statement does not equal to cash balance at the end of the same period?When a customer pays on credit the income statement has revenue but there's no cash being added to the bank account. Similarly, any cash down payment will be reflected in the cash account and the balance of the customer's purchase will appear in accounts receivable on the balance sheet.
What makes the difference between the net income and the cash position?It is calculated by subtracting the cash outflow's total value from the cash inflow's total value. In contrast, net Income refers to the business's earnings that are earned during the period after considering all the expenses incurred by the company during that period.
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