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Free Cash Flow As Part Of Voluntary Reporting. Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Negrea Laura Georgeta

    (-, Facultatea de Stiinte Economice si Gestiunea Afacerilor Cluj-Napoca)

  • Matis Dumitru

    (Universitatea Babes Bolyai, Facultatea de Stiinte Economice si Gestiunea Afacerilor Cluj-Napoca)

  • Mustata V. Razvan

    (Universitatea Babes-Bolyai, Facultatea de Stiinte Economice si Gestiunea Afacerilor Cluj-Napoca)

Abstract

The present study has as main objective to reflect the state of literature regarding free cash flow, and to withdraw the main pro's and con's in order to create an objective image upon this indicator. The main idea generating this research was the growing interest on cash flow reporting. As many say, "Cash Flow is King", while in Anglo Saxon countries the interest of investors and analysts in concentrated on operating cash flow, as the most important indicator of the probability of bankruptcy. In this context, voluntary additional reporting, like free cash flow may come either as an aid in providing the fair view or as an opportunistically reported figure. Throughout the paper, the intention was to provide answers to three main research questions: "What are the definition and calculation method of free cash flow? Why is there an interest in free cash flow reporting? What is the impact of free cash flow on the agency theory?" In order to provide relevant conclusions, four international data basis were used, and related articles and studies were extracted. The results proved that there is no generally accepted definition and computing method, while the format depends on the end-user of the report (shareholders, investors, analysts, bankers, a.s.o.). As stated below, this aspect generates confusion and lack of comparability, giving room to creative accounting techniques. Moreover, the interest on free cash flow reporting is connected mainly to liquidity assessment, company valuation and investors' choice. Still, in the context of agency theory, results show that in presence of high free cash flow, managers tend to make investment choices that satisfy their personal interest and that generate low efficiency and profitability for the company. The contribution to current state of research is providing a literature review study, focused on a comparative approach, as well as on underlying an objective image upon a debatable financial indicator and accounting report.

Suggested Citation

  • Negrea Laura Georgeta & Matis Dumitru & Mustata V. Razvan, 2011. "Free Cash Flow As Part Of Voluntary Reporting. Literature Review," Annals of Faculty of Economics, University of Oradea, Faculty of Economics, vol. 1(2), pages 591-596, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:ora:journl:v:1:y:2011:i:2:p:591-596
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ryan Oprea, 2008. "Free Cash Flow and Takeover Threats: An Experimental Study," Southern Economic Journal, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 75(2), pages 351-366, October.
    2. Kathleen Fuller & Benjamin M. Blau, 2010. "Signaling, Free Cash Flow and “Nonmonotonic” Dividends," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 45(1), pages 21-56, February.
    3. Jensen, Michael C, 1986. "Agency Costs of Free Cash Flow, Corporate Finance, and Takeovers," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 76(2), pages 323-329, May.
    4. Wei, K.C. John & Zhang, Yi, 2008. "Ownership structure, cash flow, and capital investment: Evidence from East Asian economies before the financial crisis," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 14(2), pages 118-132, April.
    5. Thomas H. Brush & Philip Bromiley & Margaretha Hendrickx, 2000. "The free cash flow hypothesis for sales growth and firm performance," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 21(4), pages 455-472, April.
    6. Emeka T. Nwaeze & Simon S. M. Yang & Q. Jennifer Yin, 2006. "Accounting Information and CEO Compensation: The Role of Cash Flow from Operations in the Presence of Earnings," Contemporary Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 23(1), pages 227-265, March.
    7. Yilei Zhang, 2009. "Are Debt and Incentive Compensation Substitutes in Controlling the Free Cash Flow Agency Problem?," Financial Management, Financial Management Association International, vol. 38(3), pages 507-541, September.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    free cash flow; reporting; management; agency theory; creative accounting;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M41 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Accounting - - - Accounting

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