The Cato (CATO) Cash Flow: Operating & Free Cash Flow

The Cato Cash Flow Statement Analysis

Operating, investing, and financing activities in millions USD

Income Statement Balance Sheet Cash Flow Ratios

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Cash flow statement showing operating, investing, and financing activities for The Cato Corporation (CATO) - Annual data in millions USD
Breakdown	FY 2026	FY 2025	FY 2024	FY 2024	FY 2023	FY 2023	FY 2022	FY 2020	FY 2019	FY 2018	FY 2017
Period Ending	Jan 2026	Jan 2025	Feb 2025	Jan 2024	Feb 2024	Jan 2023	Jan 2022	Jan 2021	Jan 2020	Jan 2019	Jan 2018
Operating Activities
Net Income	-5.91	-18.06	-18.06	-23.94	-23.94	0.03	36.84	-47.48	35.90	30.46	8.54
Depreciation & Amortization	9.99	9.82	9.82	9.87	9.87	11.08	12.36	14.68	15.49	16.46	19.64
Deferred Income Tax	0.00	0.00	0.00	8.72	0.00	0.39	-3.19	3.03	2.12	1.29	1.18
Stock Based Compensation	1.67	2.28	2.28	4.17	4.17	2.61	4.09	4.09	4.67	4.94	4.20
Change in Working Capital	-6.66	-8.95	-0.09	-0.09	-2.63	-2.63	8.07	-16.51	-5.91	3.41	-11.91
Change in Accounts Receivable	-1.41	1.36	1.36	-0.61	-0.61	29.03	-3.50	-26.94	1.53	-0.58	1.78
Change in Inventory	27.04	-12.14	-12.14	13.45	13.45	12.85	-40.78	31.24	4.22	1.95	24.15
Change in Accounts Payable	-30.54	3.46	-10.05	-10.05	-43.18	-43.49	56.71	-16.95	-8.63	-7.66	-28.78
Change in Other Working Capital	-1.75	-1.62	1.83	-2.89	-12.33	0.28	0.43	-3.87	-3.03	9.70	-9.06
Other Operating Activities	-0.56	-4.84	-4.84	1.75	10.47	0.28	0.43	11.48	1.14	3.68	14.35
Net Cash from Operating Activities	-1.46	-19.75	-19.75	0.48	0.48	13.37	59.79	-30.71	53.40	60.24	35.99
Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures	-3.76	-7.87	-7.87	-12.53	-12.53	-19.43	-4.11	-13.96	-8.31	-4.35	-11.10
Acquisitions	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	-35.46	0.00	13.96	0.00	0.00	0.00
Purchases of Investments	-25.45	-39.61	-39.61	-48.06	-48.06	-54.73	-141.94	-74.04	-218.35	-157.52	-15.77
Sales/Maturities of Investments	27.04	62.78	62.78	80.37	80.37	90.19	121.11	149.30	205.38	91.02	94.40
Other Investing Activities	0.87	13.67	13.67	-0.01	-0.01	35.46	-0.40	-10.75	-1.36	-0.29	-0.68
Net Cash from Investing Activities	-1.30	28.97	28.97	19.78	19.78	16.02	-25.33	64.51	-22.63	-71.14	66.86
Financing Activities
Common Stock Issued	0.14	0.00	0.34	0.00	0.38	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Common Stock Repurchased	-1.00	-3.88	-3.88	-2.56	-2.56	-15.22	-22.03	-19.65	-9.61	-13.34	-38.88
Dividends Paid	0.00	-10.52	-10.52	-13.95	-13.95	-14.37	-9.97	-7.91	-32.59	-32.58	-33.73
Other Financing Activities	0.00	0.34	0.00	0.38	0.00	0.31	0.20	0.39	0.63	0.76	0.58
Net Cash from Financing Activities	-0.85	-14.06	-14.06	-16.13	-16.13	-29.28	-31.80	-27.18	-41.57	-45.16	-72.03
Summary
Net Change in Cash	-3.62	-4.84	-4.84	4.12	4.12	0.12	2.66	6.62	-10.81	-56.06	30.81
Cash at Beginning of Period	23.08	27.91	0.00	23.79	0.00	23.68	21.02	14.40	25.21	81.26	47.23
Cash at End of Period	19.46	23.08	0.00	27.91	0.00	23.79	23.68	21.02	14.40	25.21	78.05
Free Cash Flow	-5.22	-27.62	-27.62	-12.06	-12.06	-6.06	55.68	-44.67	45.09	55.89	24.89
Supplemental Disclosures
Income Taxes Paid	1.87	0.00	4.12	0.00	-29.21	13.18	6.83	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cato Cash Flow

What is a cash flow statement?

A cash flow statement tracks the actual cash moving in and out of a company during a period. It's divided into three sections: operating activities (core business), investing activities (assets and investments), and financing activities (debt and equity). Unlike the income statement, it shows real cash rather than accounting profits.

What is operating cash flow?

Operating cash flow is the cash generated from a company's core business operations. It adjusts net income for non-cash items like depreciation and changes in working capital. Strong operating cash flow indicates the business can fund operations without external financing.

What is free cash flow (FCF)?

Free cash flow is operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. It represents the cash available for dividends, share buybacks, debt repayment, or reinvestment. FCF is considered one of the most important metrics for evaluating a company's financial health.

What are capital expenditures?

Capital expenditures (CapEx) are funds spent on acquiring or maintaining physical assets like property, equipment, and technology. CapEx appears in the investing activities section and is subtracted from operating cash flow to calculate free cash flow.

How is CATO's cash generation trending?

Review The Cato's operating cash flow and free cash flow figures in the quarterly and annual data above. Consistent growth in operating cash flow relative to net income indicates high-quality earnings.

The Cato (CATO) Cash Flow Statement

The Cato Cash Flow Statement Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cato Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow (FCF)

FCF Per Share

Cash Flow to Debt

Dividend Payout Ratio

EBITDA

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)

The Cato Cash Flow Statement Analysis

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cato Cash Flow

Metrics Derived from the Cash Flow Statement

Free Cash Flow (FCF)

FCF Per Share

Cash Flow to Debt

Dividend Payout Ratio

EBITDA

Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)