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).

SN 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 Smith & Nephew plc (SN), the free cash flow value is 606.00M.

All amounts in USD

Operating Cash
987,000,000
Capital Expenditure
-381,000,000
Free Cash Flow
606.00M

Smith & Nephew 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).

SN Cash Flow Statement History

Following table shows the history of Cash Flow Statements sheet for Smith & Nephew plc (LSE:SN).

31 Dec 2021 31 Dec 2022 31 Dec 2023 31 Dec 2024
Total Cash From Operating Activities 877,000,000 468,000,000 608,000,000 987,000,000
Capital Expenditures [object Object] [object Object] [object Object] [object Object]
Investing Cash Flow -691,000,000 -472,000,000 -448,000,000 -569,000,000
Financing Cash Flow -645,000,000 -926,000,000 -200,000,000 -86,000,000
Free Cash Flow 469,000,000 110,000,000 181,000,000 606,000,000
Stock Based Compensation 41,000,000 40,000,000 39,000,000 40,000,000
Net Short Term Debt Issuance -267,000,000 -407,000,000 175,000,000 -705,000,000
Repayment Of Debt -267,000,000 -881,000,000 -151,000,000 -705,000,000
Net Issuance Payments Of Debt -267,000,000 -396,000,000 175,000,000 295,000,000
Issuance Of Capital Stock 14,000,000 6,000,000 - 1,000,000
Taxes Refund Paid -97,000,000 -47,000,000 -125,000,000 -140,000,000
Long Term Debt Issuance - 485,000,000 - 1,000,000,000
Beginning Cash Position
End Cash Position
Changes In Cash
Other Non Cash Items
Common Stock Dividend Paid
Cash Dividends Paid
Effect Of Exchange Rate Changes
Issuance Of Debt -
Gain Loss On Sale Of P P E
Operating Cash Flow 877,000,000 468,000,000 608,000,000 987,000,000
Capital Expenditure -408,000,000 -358,000,000 -427,000,000 -381,000,000
Net Income From Continuing Operations