Free cash flow
The Carlyle Group Free cash flow decreased by 2.7% to -$1.27B in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 244.5%, from -$368.80M to -$1.27B. Over 2 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows a downward trend with a 38.9% 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 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $517.90M | $697.70M | $474.20M | -$384.00M | -$191.90M | -$136.40M | -$125.40M | -$756.10M | $782.70M | $237.10M | $56.90M | -$1.29B | -$379.50M | -$368.80M | -$186.30M | -$1.58B | -$1.24B | -$1.27B |
| QoQ Change | — | +34.7% | -32.0% | -181.0% | +50.0% | +28.9% | +8.1% | -503.0% | +203.5% | -69.7% | -76.0% | <-999% | +70.5% | +2.8% | +49.5% | -749.5% | +21.8% | -2.7% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -137.1% | -128.8% | +67.3% | -294.0% | — | +273.8% | +145.4% | -70.3% | -260.1% | -748.2% | +85.5% | — | -226.0% | -244.5% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is The Carlyle Group's free cash flow?
- The Carlyle Group (CG) reported free cash flow of -$1.27B in Q1 2026.
- How has The Carlyle Group's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- The Carlyle Group's free cash flow decreased by 244.5% year-over-year, from -$368.80M to -$1.27B.
- What is the long-term trend for The Carlyle Group's free cash flow?
- Over 2 years (2021 to 2025), The Carlyle Group's free cash flow has grown at a 38.9% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.75B to -$3.37B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.