The cash generated from a company's regular business operations, excluding cash flows from investing and financing activities. It measures how much cash the core business activities actually produce.
From Latin 'operari' (to work) combined with the cash flow concept. This distinction became crucial in financial analysis during the 1970s as analysts realized that accounting profits didn't always reflect actual cash generation.
A company can show profits on paper but still go bankrupt if operating cash flow is negative - this is why cash flow statements became mandatory in 1987. It's the difference between theoretical success and having money in the bank!
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