statement of cash flows for the years ended (in dollars in thousands)

Operating Activities                                                                      Jan 2000               Jan 1999

Net earnings                                                                                    145,929               166,980

Items not affecting cash

Net provision for credit charge receivables 53,946                56,332

Amortization of other assets 22,065               6,810

• less on disposal of property and equipment    6,068                  158

Deferred income taxes (8,144)               5,980

Cash generated from operations 326,141             316,170

Charges in others working capital components    (2,674)                53,278

Cash generated from operating activities 323,467             369,448

Investing Activities

Additional to property and equipment ( 377,349)              (303,058)

Investment in credit charge receivables    (206,954)                (56,006)

Long-term receivables and other assets (90,927)                   (14,547)

Proceeds on disposition of property and equipment 19,457                       7,882

                                                                                                          (655,773)                  (365,729)

Financing Activities

Issuance of long –term debt    435,634                 435,550

Securitization of credit charge receivable 136,268                  31,858

Commercial paper 52,257                   (181,137)

Dividends                                                                                        (30,845)                 (31,299)

Class A non-voting share transactions (29,429)                  (173,721)

Repayment of long-term debt (951)                        (4,000)

                                                                                                             562,934                41,251

Cash generated in the year    230,628                  44,970

Cash position, beginning of the year 308,392                  263,422

Cash position, end of year 539,020                  308,392

The Question:

From the statement of cash flows of the company above analyze the company`s performance for the last two years. Comment on the primary sources of cash. The primary uses of cash, and any apparent trends.