Free cash flow
Equifax Free cash flow decreased by 64.3% to $121.50M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 4.1%, from $116.70M to $121.50M. Over 3 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a 9.4% 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 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q4 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q4 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $285.20M | $301.00M | $249.20M | -$355.00M | $169.30M | -$7.40M | $99.10M | $247.40M | $176.40M | $120.80M | $130.80M | $355.50M | $205.90M | $116.70M | $238.90M | $437.90M | $340.80M | $121.50M |
| QoQ Change | — | +5.5% | -17.2% | -242.5% | +147.7% | -104.4% | >999% | +149.6% | -28.7% | -31.5% | +8.3% | +171.8% | -42.1% | -43.3% | +104.7% | +83.3% | -22.2% | -64.3% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -32.1% | +97.9% | — | — | +4.2% | >999% | +32.0% | +43.7% | +16.7% | -3.4% | +82.6% | +23.2% | +65.5% | +4.1% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Equifax's free cash flow?
- Equifax (EFX) reported free cash flow of $121.50M in Q1 2026.
- How has Equifax's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Equifax's free cash flow increased by 4.1% year-over-year, from $116.70M to $121.50M.
- What is the long-term trend for Equifax's free cash flow?
- Over 3 years (2021 to 2025), Equifax's free cash flow has grown at a 9.4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $865.80M to $1.13B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.