Please review the following real-world Hewlett Packard Statement of Cash flows a

ID: 2502802 • Letter: P

Question

Please review the following real-world Hewlett Packard Statement of Cash flows and address the 2 questions below:

Cash flow from operating activities

In millions

For the year ended 2012

For the year ended 2011

Net (loss) earnings

$(12,650)

$7,074

Depreciation and amortization

5,095

4,984

Impairment of goodwill and purchased intangible assets

18,035

885

Stock-based compensation expense

635

685

Provision for doubtful accounts

142

Provision for inventory

277

217

Restructuring charges

2,266

645

Deferred taxes on earnings

(711)

166

Excess tax benefit from stock-based competition

(12)

(163)

Other, net

265

(46)

Accounts and financing receivables

1,269

(227)

Inventory

890

(1,252)

Accounts payable

(1,414)

275

Taxes on earnings

(320)

610

Restructuring

(840)

(1,002)

Other assets and liabilities

(2,356)

(293)

Net cash provided by operating activities

10,571

12,639

Cash flows from investing activities:

Investment in property, plant, and equipment

(3,706)

(4,539)

Proceeds from sale of property, plant, and equipment

617

999

Purchases of available-for-sale securities and other investments

(972)

(96)

Maturities and sales of available-for-sale securities and other investment

662

Payments in connection with business acquisitions, net of cash acquired

(141)

(10,480)

Proceeds from business divestiture, net

Net cash used in investing activities

(3,453)

(13,959)

Cash flow from financing activities:

(Payments) issuance of commercial paper and notes payable, net

(2,775)

(1,270)

Issuance of debt

5,154

11,942

Payment of debt

(4,333)

(2,336)

Issuance of common stock under employee stock plans

716

896

Repurchase of common stock

(1,619)

(10,117)

Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation

163

Cash dividends paid

(1,015)

(844)

Net cash used in financing activities

(3,860)

(1,566)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

3,258

(2,886)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

8,043

10,929

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

$11,301

$8,043

Required:

1) Please calculate the percentage increase or decrease in cash for the total line of the operating, investing, and financing sections bolded above and explain the major reasons for the increase or decrease for each of these sections.

2) Please calculate the free cash flow for 2012 and explain the meaning of this ratio.