Free cash flow
Natera, Inc. Free cash flow decreased by 52.3% to $18.03M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 20.3%, from $22.64M to $18.03M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a -26.6% 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 | 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 | -$79.19M | -$104.20M | -$107.74M | -$153.16M | -$118.63M | -$114.46M | -$92.95M | -$92.49M | -$87.35M | -$38.66M | -$67.66M | $6.69M | -$7.69M | $35.47M | $34.77M | $22.64M | $11.68M | $36.98M | $37.82M | $18.03M |
| QoQ Change | — | -31.6% | -3.4% | -42.2% | +22.5% | +3.5% | +18.8% | +0.5% | +5.6% | +55.7% | -75.0% | +109.9% | -215.0% | +561.4% | -2.0% | -34.9% | -48.4% | +216.7% | +2.3% | -52.3% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -49.8% | -9.8% | +13.7% | +39.6% | +26.4% | +66.2% | +27.2% | +107.2% | +91.2% | +191.8% | +151.4% | +238.6% | +251.9% | +4.3% | +8.8% | -20.3% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Natera, Inc.'s free cash flow?
- Natera, Inc. (NTRA) reported free cash flow of $18.03M in Q1 2026.
- How has Natera, Inc.'s free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Natera, Inc.'s free cash flow decreased by 20.3% year-over-year, from $22.64M to $18.03M.
- What is the long-term trend for Natera, Inc.'s free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Natera, Inc.'s free cash flow has grown at a -26.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from -$376.27M to $109.11M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.