What does Cash Flow measure?

Cash flow measures the financial health of an organization by analyzing the cash inflows and outflows over a specific period. This metric is crucial because it reflects how well a company generates cash to meet its obligations, fund its operations, and invest in growth opportunities. Positive cash flow indicates that more cash is coming into the business than going out, which is essential for maintaining liquidity and sustaining operations.

While other metrics like profitability or revenue growth are important, they do not provide a complete picture of an organization’s cash management. Profitability focuses on earnings after expenses, which can be influenced by non-cash activities, and revenue growth simply tracks sales without assessing whether those sales convert to actual cash. Therefore, cash flow stands out as a direct measure of a company's liquidity and is a vital indicator of its operational effectiveness and financial stability.