Can someone explain Cash Flow Statements ? (Every time I look at operating vs. investing vs. financing I get confused)
u/Artic_funky ·
Reddit — r/ValueInvesting
· August 27, 2026 at 17:13
· ⬆ 15 pts
· 💬 22 comments
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Summary
Post is a beginner-level educational question about how to read cash flow statements, specifically the differences between operating, investing, and financing activities.
Author seeks frameworks to understand why high net income companies can still go bankrupt and what red flags to look for in cash flows.
Quality assessment: Not investment research or DD; it is a general financial literacy question with no specific stock thesis or actionable market view.
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Hey everyone,
I’ve been trying to get better at analyzing stocks and reading company financials. Balance sheets make sense (what you own vs. what you owe), and Income Statements make sense (revenue minus expenses = profit).
But the Cash Flow Statements always throws me for a loop. Specifically:
Why does a company with high net income on paper sometimes go bankrupt?
How do I actually read the three main sections without my eyes glazing over?
What are the biggest red flags to look out for?
Any simple frameworks or mental models would be hugely appreciated!