Cash flow is the net amount of cash and cash-equivalents being transferred into and out of a business. At the most fundamental level, a company’s ability to create value for shareholders is determined by its ability to generate positive cash flows, or more specifically, maximize long-term free cash flow (FCF).

NG Free Cash Flow Analysis

Free cash flow, a measure commonly used by analysts to assess a company's profitability, represents the cash a company generates after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and maintain its capital assets.

The Free Cash Flow is calculated using a number of methods including using Operating Cash Flow. Following is the formula to calculate Free Cash Flow based on Operating Cash Flow.

Free Cash Flow = Operating Cash Flow - Capital Expenditures

Using above formula to calculate Free Cash Flow for National Grid plc (NG), the free cash flow value is -2.50B.

All amounts in GBP

Operating Cash
6,808,000,000
Capital Expenditure
-9,306,000,000
Free Cash Flow
-2.50B

National Grid plc has a negative free cash flow as per the latest annual Cash flow statement released by the company. Positive free cash flow is cruscial for the financial health of a company, which can be used to pay dividends, expand operations, and deleverage its balance sheet (i.e., reduce debt).

NG Cash Flow Statement History

Following table shows the history of Cash Flow Statements sheet for National Grid plc (LSE:NG).

31 Mar 2022 31 Mar 2023 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2025
Total Cash From Operating Activities 6,272,000,000 6,898,000,000 6,939,000,000 6,808,000,000
Capital Expenditures [object Object] [object Object] [object Object] [object Object]
Investing Cash Flow -14,010,000,000 240,000,000 -7,499,000,000 -10,571,000,000
Financing Cash Flow 7,769,000,000 -7,173,000,000 987,000,000 4,528,000,000
Free Cash Flow 728,000,000 6,000,000 -514,000,000 -2,498,000,000
Stock Based Compensation 38,000,000 48,000,000 37,000,000 37,000,000
Net Short Term Debt Issuance -11,000,000 -511,000,000 544,000,000 925,000,000
Repayment Of Debt -1,261,000,000 -15,260,000,000 -1,701,000,000 -2,861,000,000
Net Issuance Payments Of Debt 11,075,000,000 -3,863,000,000 4,406,000,000 1,301,000,000
Issuance Of Capital Stock 33,000,000 17,000,000 20,000,000 7,019,000,000
Taxes Refund Paid -298,000,000 -89,000,000 -342,000,000 -183,000,000
Net P P E Purchase And Sale -5,072,000,000 -6,238,000,000 -6,852,000,000 -8,754,000,000
Sale Of P P E 26,000,000 87,000,000 52,000,000 26,000,000
Long Term Debt Issuance 12,347,000,000 11,908,000,000 5,563,000,000 3,237,000,000
Beginning Cash Position
End Cash Position
Changes In Cash
Other Non Cash Items
Change In Other Current Assets
Cash Dividends Paid
Effect Of Exchange Rate Changes
Issuance Of Debt
Long Term Debt Payments
Purchase Of P P E
Operating Cash Flow 6,272,000,000 6,898,000,000 6,939,000,000 6,808,000,000
Capital Expenditure -5,544,000,000 -6,892,000,000 -7,453,000,000 -9,306,000,000
Net Income From Continuing Operations