Free cash flow
Alcoa Free cash flow decreased by 201.4% to -$298.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 1555.6%, from -$18.00M to -$298.00M. Over 2 years (FY 2021 to FY 2024), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a -71.8% CAGR. This decline may warrant attention — for this metric, higher values are generally preferred.
Analysis
How to read this metric
An increase suggests improved operational efficiency or reduced capital intensity, providing more flexibility for capital allocation. A decrease may indicate higher investment in R&D or infrastructure, or potential challenges in converting earnings into cash.
Detailed definition
Free cash flow represents the cash generated by a company after accounting for cash outflows to support operations and m...
Peer comparison
Large-cap medical device and pharmaceutical peers typically maintain strong, positive free cash flow, though levels vary based on the intensity of R&D spending and the lifecycle stage of major product lines.
free_cash_flowHistorical Data
| Q2 '21 | Q3 '21 | Q4 '21 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | -$165.00M | $352.00M | $412.00M | -$40.00M | $429.00M | $6.00M | -$246.00M | -$128.00M | -$76.00M | $0.00 | -$324.00M | $123.00M | -$3.00M | $246.00M | -$18.00M | $357.00M | $294.00M | -$298.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | +313.3% | +17.0% | -109.7% | >999% | -98.6% | <-999% | +48.0% | +40.6% | +100.0% | — | +138.0% | -102.4% | >999% | -107.3% | >999% | -17.6% | -201.4% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +360.0% | -98.3% | -515.0% | -129.8% | <-999% | — | -31.7% | +196.1% | +96.1% | — | +94.4% | +190.2% | +19.5% | <-999% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Alcoa's free cash flow?
- Alcoa (AA) reported free cash flow of -$298.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has Alcoa's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Alcoa's free cash flow decreased by 1555.6% year-over-year, from -$18.00M to -$298.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for Alcoa's free cash flow?
- Over 2 years (2021 to 2024), Alcoa's free cash flow has grown at a -71.8% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $530.00M to $42.00M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.