Free cash flow
PPG Industries Free cash flow decreased by 127.8% to -$163.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric grew by 28.2%, from -$227.00M to -$163.00M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows relatively stable performance with a -0.6% 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 | $542.00M | $447.00M | $305.00M | -$498.00M | $98.00M | $408.00M | $469.00M | -$35.00M | $414.00M | $753.00M | $763.00M | -$312.00M | $250.00M | $623.00M | $138.00M | -$227.00M | $266.00M | $538.00M | $586.00M | -$163.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | -17.5% | -31.8% | -263.3% | +119.7% | +316.3% | +15.0% | -107.5% | >999% | +81.9% | +1.3% | -140.9% | +180.1% | +149.2% | -77.8% | -264.5% | +217.2% | +102.3% | +8.9% | -127.8% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -81.9% | -8.7% | +53.8% | +93.0% | +322.4% | +84.6% | +62.7% | -791.4% | -39.6% | -17.3% | -81.9% | +27.2% | +6.4% | -13.6% | +324.6% | +28.2% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is PPG Industries's free cash flow?
- PPG Industries (PPG) reported free cash flow of -$163.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has PPG Industries's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- PPG Industries's free cash flow increased by 28.2% year-over-year, from -$227.00M to -$163.00M.
- What is the long-term trend for PPG Industries's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), PPG Industries's free cash flow has grown at a -0.6% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.19B to $1.16B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.