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Reading Financial Data - Step by Step / Cash flow & returns

What is operating cash flow?

Operating cash flow is cash generated or used by the company's main operations.

As of: 2025-10-31.

Concept

Net income is an accounting profit measure. Operating cash flow is a cash-flow-statement measure.

Worked Example: Compare Apple operating cash flow with net income

  1. AAPL net income was $112.0 billion for fiscal 2025.
  2. AAPL operating cash flow was $111.5 billion for the same fiscal year.
  3. The two lines answer related but different questions: income-statement profit and cash from running the business.
  4. Use the company page source links when you need the exact SEC facts behind both rows.

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Sources