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).

AUTO 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 Autotrader Group plc (AUTO), the free cash flow value is 300.60M.

All amounts in GBP

Operating Cash
304,600,000
Capital Expenditure
-4,000,000
Free Cash Flow
300.60M

Autotrader Group plc has a positive 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).

AUTO Cash Flow Statement History

Following table shows the history of Cash Flow Statements sheet for Autotrader Group plc (LSE:AUTO).

31 Mar 2022 31 Mar 2023 31 Mar 2024 31 Mar 2025
Total Cash From Operating Activities 271,900,000 266,900,000 287,500,000 304,600,000
Capital Expenditures [object Object] [object Object] [object Object] [object Object]
Investing Cash Flow 5,000,000 -126,400,000 1,800,000 1,600,000
Financing Cash Flow -271,300,000 -175,200,000 -287,200,000 -309,600,000
Free Cash Flow 269,100,000 263,500,000 283,700,000 300,600,000
Stock Based Compensation 5,100,000 5,800,000 7,500,000 9,700,000
Repayment Of Debt -30,000,000 -54,000,000 -88,100,000 -30,000,000
Net Issuance Payments Of Debt -30,000,000 57,100,000 -31,100,000 -30,000,000
Issuance Of Capital Stock 1,400,000 2,000,000 1,800,000 1,100,000
Taxes Refund Paid -56,200,000 -60,500,000 -91,500,000 -95,100,000
Net P P E Purchase And Sale -2,800,000 -600,000 -3,400,000 -3,700,000
Sale Of P P E - 1,800,000 200,000 300,000
Beginning Cash Position
End Cash Position
Changes In Cash
Other Non Cash Items
Common Stock Dividend Paid
Cash Dividends Paid
Gain Loss On Sale Of P P E -
Long Term Debt Payments
Purchase Of P P E
Operating Cash Flow 271,900,000 266,900,000 287,500,000 304,600,000
Capital Expenditure -2,800,000 -3,400,000 -3,800,000 -4,000,000
Net Income From Continuing Operations