As a junior analyst, you are evaluating the financial performance of Digilog Corporation. Impressed by this year’s growth in sales (20% increase), receivables (40% increase), and inventories (50% increase), you plan to report a favorable evaluation of the company. Your supervisor cautions you that those increases may signal difficulties rather than successes. When you ask what she means, she just says you should look at the company’s statement of cash flows. What do you think you will find there?
What are the cash flow effects when a company’s receivables and inventories increase faster than its sales?