What does the DPO (Days Payables Outstanding) measure?

The correct choice highlights that Days Payables Outstanding (DPO) measures the average number of days that a company takes to pay its trade payables or invoices. This metric is significant for evaluating how well a company is managing its cash flow and payments to suppliers. A high DPO indicates that the company is taking longer to pay its suppliers, which might suggest strong cash management but can also affect supplier relationships if taken to extremes.

By tracking DPO, businesses can gain insights into their operational efficiency and overall financial health. Managing DPO effectively can contribute to optimizing cash flow, as it allows companies to hold onto cash longer before obligations need to be met.

The other options do not relate directly to the concept of DPO. Total revenue generated and financial transaction sums pertain to different aspects of financial performance and reporting, while the number of trade payables is more of a balance sheet figure rather than a measure of the time taken to settle those payables.