Free cash flow
West Pharmaceutical Services Free cash flow decreased by 73.0% to $47.20M in Q1 2026 compared to the prior quarter. Year-over-year, this metric declined by 18.8%, from $58.10M to $47.20M. Over 4 years (FY 2021 to FY 2025), Free cash flow shows an upward trend with a 9.1% 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 | $87.50M | $124.80M | $84.30M | $85.40M | $107.00M | $111.10M | $135.90M | $56.00M | $93.80M | $134.30M | $130.40M | $27.60M | $64.80M | $98.80M | $85.20M | $58.10M | $101.90M | $133.90M | $175.00M | $47.20M |
| QoQ Change | — | +42.6% | -32.5% | +1.3% | +25.3% | +3.8% | +22.3% | -58.8% | +67.5% | +43.2% | -2.9% | -78.8% | +134.8% | +52.5% | -13.8% | -31.8% | +75.4% | +31.4% | +30.7% | -73.0% |
| YoY Change | — | — | — | — | +22.3% | -11.0% | +61.2% | -34.4% | -12.3% | +20.9% | -4.0% | -50.7% | -30.9% | -26.4% | -34.7% | +110.5% | +57.3% | +35.5% | +105.4% | -18.8% |
Free cash flow at Other Companies
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is West Pharmaceutical Services's free cash flow?
- West Pharmaceutical Services (WST) reported free cash flow of $47.20M in Q1 2026.
- How has West Pharmaceutical Services's free cash flow changed year-over-year?
- West Pharmaceutical Services's free cash flow decreased by 18.8% year-over-year, from $58.10M to $47.20M.
- What is the long-term trend for West Pharmaceutical Services's free cash flow?
- Over 4 years (2021 to 2025), West Pharmaceutical Services's free cash flow has grown at a 9.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), from $330.60M to $468.90M.
- What does free cash flow mean?
- The cash remaining after a company pays for its operating expenses and capital investments.