One method of analyzing a company’s statement of cash flows is to determine the amount of annual financing needed to sustain annual activities. A company’s free cash flow is the amount of cash generated from operating activities less capital expenditures and dividends. As a result, it is an indicator of a company’s ability to pay of its debt and maintain growth. A positive free cash-flow amount is frequently a precursor to increased earning. A negative amount indicates that the company found or will find it necessary to acquire funds from external financing sources to maintain operations or to grow. Free cash flow is calculated as: