Free cash flow
NRG Energy Free cash flow decreased by 311.3% to -$486.00M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 176.2%, from $638.00M to -$486.00M. 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 | Q1 '22 | Q2 '22 | Q3 '22 | Q4 '22 | Q1 '23 | Q2 '23 | Q3 '23 | Q1 '24 | Q2 '24 | Q3 '24 | Q4 '24 | Q1 '25 | Q2 '25 | Q3 '25 | Q1 '26 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value | $1.21B | $1.40B | $1.62B | $1.42B | -$1.53B | -$1.52B | -$1.74B | $388.00M | $397.00M | $198.00M | $953.00M | -$83.00M | $766.00M | $638.00M | $73.00M | $230.00M | -$486.00M |
| QoQ Change | — | +15.5% | +15.3% | -11.9% | -207.6% | +1.0% | -14.9% | +122.3% | +2.3% | -50.1% | +381.3% | -108.7% | >999% | -16.7% | -88.6% | +215.1% | -311.3% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | +17.2% | -209.2% | — | -207.7% | -72.7% | +125.9% | +111.4% | +145.6% | -120.9% | — | +222.2% | -92.3% | +377.1% | -176.2% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is NRG Energy's free cash flow?
- NRG Energy (NRG) reported free cash flow of -$486.00M in Q1 2026.
- How has NRG Energy's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- NRG Energy's free cash flow decreased by 176.2% year-over-year, from $638.00M to -$486.00M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.