Understand cash generation quality and how management allocates capital.
Free cash flow was $1.23B in the latest quarter (6.8% increase YoY). FCF margin is 1.9%. Shares outstanding increased by 1.2% year-over-year, indicating dilution (potentially from stock compensation or capital raises). Free cash flow is the lifeblood of a business — it funds dividends, buybacks, debt reduction, and reinvestment without relying on external capital.
Free cash flow, earnings quality, and capital allocation