StockSignal
Purchase of investments is the cash spent on financial investments such as bonds, shares or other securities. It reduces cash today in the hope of earning returns in the future.
How it relates
Purchase of investments represents cash spent to acquire financial assets such as marketable securities, bonds, equity stakes in other companies, and other investment instruments. This investing activity appears on the cash flow statement when a company deploys cash into financial assets rather than operating assets, often as part of treasury management or strategic positioning.
Types of investment purchases:
- Marketable securities: Treasury bills, commercial paper, money market funds
- Corporate bonds: Fixed-income securities from other companies
- Equity investments: Minority stakes in other companies
- Government securities: Treasury bonds and notes
- Certificates of deposit: Time deposits at financial institutions
Why companies purchase investments:
- Cash management: Earn returns on excess cash while maintaining liquidity
- Strategic positioning: Build relationships with potential partners or acquisition targets
- Risk diversification: Spread financial assets across instruments
- Future funding: Accumulate resources for planned capital needs
Cash flow presentation:
Purchases of investments: $(800) million Sales/maturities of investments: $600 million Net investment activity: $(200) million
Analysing investment activity:
- Net position: Look at purchases minus sales/maturities for true cash impact
- Investment types: Short-term securities suggest cash management; long-term may be strategic
- Yield considerations: Returns earned versus risks taken
- Liquidity implications: Can investments be sold quickly if cash is needed?
Context matters:
- Tech companies: Often hold billions in marketable securities
- Growing companies: May keep cash liquid for opportunities
- Mature companies: Investment portfolios may generate meaningful income
- Financial companies: Investment activity is core to business model
Important considerations:
- Opportunity cost: Cash in investments isn't funding operations or returning to shareholders
- Unrealised gains/losses: Market value changes may not appear in cash flow
- Interest rate risk: Bond values fluctuate with rates
- Credit risk: Corporate bonds carry default risk
Large investment purchases in a cash-generating company often signal management uncertainty about near-term capital deployment opportunities, or prudent preparation for future investments or downturns.