What are the different uses of cash flow for a business (e.g. operating expenses, investments, debt repayment)?

The different uses of cash flow for a business include:

1. Operating expenses: Cash flow can be used to cover regular expenses such as rent, utilities, salaries, and inventory costs.

2. Investments: Businesses may use cash flow to invest in new equipment, technology, or marketing initiatives to expand their operations and improve their competitive position.

3. Debt repayment: Cash flow can also be used to pay down debt, such as loans or lines of credit.

4. Shareholder distributions: In the case of profitable businesses, cash flow can be used to pay dividends or buy back shares.

5. Reserves: Businesses may keep a portion of their cash flow as a reserve to cover unexpected expenses or take advantage of new opportunities.

6. Taxes: A portion of cash flow is also used to pay taxes.

It is important for businesses to balance the different uses of their cash flow to ensure that they have enough funds to cover their ongoing expenses, invest in growth opportunities, and manage their debt obligations.