Free cash flow
Carpenter Technology Free cash flow increased by 45.3% to $124.80M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 266.0%, from $34.10M to $124.80M. Over 2 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a 32.0% CAGR. This is a positive signal — higher values indicate stronger performance for this metric.
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 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $52.60M | -$61.40M | -$108.30M | -$91.50M | -$104.00M | -$16.20M | -$14.60M | -$10.80M | $61.90M | $141.80M | $13.30M | $38.60M | $34.10M | $200.10M | -$3.40M | $85.90M | $124.80M |
| QoQ Change | — | -216.7% | -76.4% | +15.5% | -13.7% | +84.4% | +9.9% | +26.0% | +673.1% | +129.1% | -90.6% | +190.2% | -11.7% | +486.8% | -101.7% | >999% | +45.3% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | -49.0% | +4.0% | — | +84.0% | +89.6% | +482.1% | — | +191.1% | +457.4% | -44.9% | +41.1% | -125.6% | +122.5% | +266.0% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Carpenter Technology's free cash flow?
- Carpenter Technology (CRS) reported free cash flow of $124.80M in Q1 2026.
- How has Carpenter Technology's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Carpenter Technology's free cash flow increased by 266.0% year-over-year, from $34.10M to $124.80M.
- What is the long-term trend for Carpenter Technology's free cash flow?
- Over 2 years (2021 to 2025), Carpenter Technology's free cash flow has grown at a 32.0% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $164.30M to $286.10M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.