Free cash flow
Church & Dwight Free cash flow decreased by 15.5% to $142.90M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 15.5%, from $169.20M to $142.90M. Over 3 years (FY 2021 to FY 2024), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a 3.7% 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 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $227.10M | $288.50M | $285.50M | $137.20M | $134.40M | $164.40M | $270.40M | $248.10M | $197.90M | $227.60M | $133.50M | $216.70M | $206.60M | $315.40M | $237.70M | $169.20M | $142.90M |
| QoQ Change | — | +27.0% | -1.0% | -51.9% | -2.0% | +22.3% | +64.5% | -8.2% | -20.2% | +15.0% | -41.3% | +62.3% | -4.7% | +52.7% | -24.6% | -28.8% | -15.5% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | -40.8% | -43.0% | -5.3% | +80.8% | +47.2% | +38.4% | -50.6% | -12.7% | +4.4% | +38.6% | +78.1% | -21.9% | -15.5% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Church & Dwight's free cash flow?
- Church & Dwight (CHD) reported free cash flow of $142.90M in Q1 2026.
- How has Church & Dwight's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- Church & Dwight's free cash flow decreased by 15.5% year-over-year, from $169.20M to $142.90M.
- What is the long-term trend for Church & Dwight's free cash flow?
- Over 3 years (2021 to 2024), Church & Dwight's free cash flow has grown at a 3.7% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $875.00M to $976.40M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.