Free cash flow
Zimmer Biomet Holdings Free cash flow decreased by 27.0% to $323.10M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 4.5%, from $338.20M to $323.10M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows relatively stable performance with a 2.1% 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 | $429.30M | $389.10M | $316.50M | $279.30M | $304.60M | $403.60M | $180.80M | $261.00M | $250.60M | $253.30M | $525.60M | $172.90M | $316.70M | $351.20M | $454.80M | $338.20M | $328.10M | $363.70M | $442.60M | $323.10M |
| QoQ Change | — | -9.4% | -18.7% | -11.8% | +9.1% | +32.5% | -55.2% | +44.4% | -4.0% | +1.1% | +107.5% | -67.1% | +83.2% | +10.9% | +29.5% | -25.6% | -3.0% | +10.9% | +21.7% | -27.0% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -29.0% | +3.7% | -42.9% | -6.6% | -17.7% | -37.2% | +190.7% | -33.8% | +26.4% | +38.6% | -13.5% | +95.6% | +3.6% | +3.6% | -2.7% | -4.5% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Zimmer Biomet Holdings's free cash flow?
- Zimmer Biomet Holdings (ZBH) reported free cash flow of $323.10M in Q1 2026.
- How has Zimmer Biomet Holdings's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Zimmer Biomet Holdings's free cash flow decreased by 4.5% year-over-year, from $338.20M to $323.10M.
- What is the long-term trend for Zimmer Biomet Holdings's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), Zimmer Biomet Holdings's free cash flow has grown at a 2.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $1.36B to $1.47B.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.