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

The Cato Cash Flow Statement Analysis

Values 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 2025	FY 2024	FY 2024	FY 2023	FY 2022	FY 2020	FY 2019	FY 2018	FY 2017
Period ending	Jan 2026	Feb 2025	Jan 2025	Feb 2024	Jan 2024	Jan 2023	Jan 2022	Jan 2021	Jan 2020	Jan 2019	Jan 2018
Operating Activities
Net Income	-5.91	-5.91	-18.06	-18.06	-23.94	0.03	36.84	-47.48	35.90	30.46	8.54
Depreciation & Amortization	9.99	9.99	9.82	9.82	9.87	11.08	12.36	14.68	15.49	16.46	19.64
Deferred Income Tax	0.00	-	0.00	-	8.72	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	-8.95	-0.09	-0.09	-2.63	8.07	-16.51	-5.91	3.41	-11.91
Change in Accounts Receivable	-1.41	-1.41	1.36	1.36	-0.61	29.03	-3.50	-26.94	1.53	-0.58	1.78
Change in Inventory	27.04	27.04	-12.14	-12.14	13.45	12.85	-40.78	31.24	4.22	1.95	24.15
Change in Accounts Payable	-30.54	3.46	3.46	-10.05	-10.67	-43.18	57.83	-16.95	-8.63	-7.66	-28.78
Change in Other Working Capital	-1.75	-32.29	-1.62	1.83	-2.89	-1.34	-5.48	-3.87	-3.03	9.70	-9.06
Other Operating Activities	-0.56	-0.56	-4.84	-4.84	1.75	1.90	1.63	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	-35.46	0.00	13.96	0.00	0.00	0.00
Purchases of Investments	-25.45	-25.45	-39.61	-39.61	-48.06	-54.73	-141.94	-74.04	-218.35	-157.52	-15.77
Sales/Maturities of Investments	27.04	27.04	62.78	62.78	80.37	90.19	121.11	149.30	205.38	91.02	94.40
Other Investing Activities	0.87	0.87	13.67	13.67	-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	0.14	0.00	0.34	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Common Stock Repurchased	-1.00	-1.00	-3.88	-3.88	-2.56	-15.22	-22.03	-19.65	-9.61	-13.34	-38.88
Dividends Paid	0.00	-10.52	-10.52	-10.52	-13.95	-14.37	-9.97	-7.91	-32.59	-32.58	-33.73
Other Financing Activities	0.00	-	0.34	-	0.38	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	-	23.79	23.68	21.02	14.40	25.21	81.26	47.23
Cash at End of Period	19.46	-	23.08	-	27.91	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	-	4.12	-	-29.21	6.83	-	-	-	-

Source: Company financial statements from annual and quarterly filings. Data as of Aug 1, 2026. Data sources and methodology

Frequently Asked Questions About The Cato Cash Flow

What is The Cato's free cash flow?

The Cato had negative free cash flow of $5.22M in fiscal 2026 (fiscal year ended Jan 31, 2026), operating cash flow of −$1.46M minus $3.76M of capital expenditures.

How much does The Cato spend on capital expenditures?

The Cato spent $3.76M on capital expenditures in fiscal 2026, compared with $7.87M a year earlier.

Does The Cato pay dividends or buy back shares?

Yes. In fiscal 2026 The Cato returned $995.00K in share buybacks to shareholders, according to its cash flow statement.

What is free cash flow?

Free cash flow is operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. It is the cash a company has left for dividends, buybacks, debt repayment or acquisitions after funding its operations and investment. Full definition