AL
ALGN
Dec 31, 2024
Quarter ended Dec 31, 2024 · FY2024 Q4

Align Technology, Inc. stock research

Align Technology (ALGN) Free Cash Flow — Quarter Ended Dec 31, 2024

Free cash flow improved sharply versus both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year, driven by higher operating cash flow. The free cash flow margin expanded significantly compared to both periods.

Free cash flow takeaway

A quick read on the company's cash generation and what it means for investors.

Free cash flow improved sharply versus both the prior quarter and the same quarter last year, driven by higher operating cash flow. The free cash flow margin expanded significantly compared to both periods.

  • Revenue was higher than both the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter. Operating cash flow rose relative to both periods, while capital expenditure was lower, resulting in a higher free cash flow and an improved free cash flow margin.
  • Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, revenue, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and free cash flow margin were all higher, while capital expenditure was lower. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, all metrics improved markedly, with operating cash flow and free cash flow substantially higher.

FCF snapshot

Quarterly and TTM cash-flow metrics with the minimum valuation context.

TTM free cash flow

$622.7M

Trailing twelve-month free cash flow.

Quarter free cash flow

$263.1M

Free cash flow in the selected fiscal quarter.

Operating cash flow

$286.1M

Cash generated by operations before capital spending.

CapEx

$23.0M

Capital spending and related asset purchases.

FCF margin

26.4%

The share of revenue converted into free cash flow.

Cash flow trend

A short quarterly history shows whether FCF is scaling with revenue or only spiking for one period.

PeriodRevenueOperating CFCapExFCFFCF margin
2024-03-31$997.4M$28.7M$9.4M$19.3M1.9%
2024-06-30$1.0B$159.8M$53.5M$106.4M10.3%
2024-09-30$977.9M$263.7M$29.8M$233.9M23.9%
2024-12-31$995.2M$286.1M$23.0M$263.1M26.4%

Cash conversion quality

Checks that separate high-quality free cash flow from accounting noise or working-capital timing.

FCF / net income253.5%Shows whether accounting earnings convert into cash.
CapEx / revenue2.3%Lower capital intensity usually supports FCF margin.
Net cashn/aCash and equivalents minus total debt.

Recent events shaping cash flow

Near-term business events that help explain the free cash flow result.

Supportive

Operating Cash Flow Strength

Operating cash flow was higher than both the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter, and the increase was proportionally larger than the revenue increase. This was the strongest observable driver of free cash flow improvement.

Higher operating cash flow directly lifted free cash flow and the free cash flow margin.

What the cash flow says

How to interpret the company's free cash flow beyond the headline number.

Revenue was higher than both the prior quarter and the year-ago quarter. Operating cash flow rose relative to both periods, while capital expenditure was lower, resulting in a higher free cash flow and an improved free cash flow margin.

Compared to the immediately preceding quarter, revenue, operating cash flow, free cash flow, and free cash flow margin were all higher, while capital expenditure was lower. Versus the same quarter one year earlier, all metrics improved markedly, with operating cash flow and free cash flow substantially higher.

Monitor whether operating cash flow can sustain its elevated level relative to revenue in future quarters.