Investing Cashflow

This article explains how Investing cashflows work in Model Reef.

You will learn:

  • What counts as Investing cashflow.

  • How capex and asset related cash movements are represented.

  • How Investing cashflows link to Assets, depreciation and valuation.

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Investing cashflows show how the business allocates cash into longer-term assets. They are primarily driven by Asset variables and their timing settings in Model Reef.

1

Components of Investing cashflow

In Model Reef, Investing cashflows usually include:

  • Capex

    • Cash outflows for physical or intangible Assets.

    • Plant, equipment, property, fit outs, vehicles, software, development costs.

  • Other asset movements

    • Any additional long term investments represented via Asset variables.

These are derived from Asset variables and their timing settings.

2

When you add capex via an Asset variable:

  • The Balance Sheet records an increase in Assets.

  • The Cashflow Statement records a capex outflow in Investing cashflows.

  • The P&L records non cash depreciation over the useful life of the asset.

Depreciation and amortisation do not appear in Investing cashflows. They are non-cash and appear in the P&L below EBITDA.

3

Investing cashflow and free cashflow

Investing cashflows are a key component of free cashflow calculations:

  • Free cashflow to the firm adjusts EBITDA and working capital, then subtracts capex.

  • Heavy investment periods will reduce free cashflow even if operating performance is strong.

  • Low or negative capex can temporarily boost free cashflow at the cost of underinvestment.

Model Reef's valuation engine uses both Operating and Investing cashflows when computing FCFF and FCFE.

4

Analysing Investing cashflow

You can analyse Investing cashflow by:

  • Looking at the level and timing of capex relative to revenue or capacity.

  • Splitting capex by branch or project using Asset variables in different branches.

  • Comparing capex across scenarios to test growth and maintenance strategies.

  • Examining how different capex profiles affect free cashflows and valuation.

This helps in planning expansion, maintenance and financing.


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