Analysis of cash flow profiles of the businesses in the scope of the cash flow operations model: An application in Borsa Istanbul

This study aims to examine the cash flow performance of companies traded on the Istanbul (BIST) between 2015 and 2024. Through the statement of cash flows, which holds a significant place within financial statements, the financial health, cash generation capacities, and sustainability of these companies are analysed. The research utilizes the direct method for cash flows from operating activities to evaluate cash movements originating from operating, investing, and financing activities in detail. The ten-year period under investigation encompasses various economic fluctuations, crises, and the pandemic period experienced in the Turkish economy, thus offering an opportunity to observe how companies adapted to changing economic conditions. The research findings reveal the changes in the cash generation capacities, cash management strategies, sectoral differences, and financial sustainability of BIST companies. The findings demonstrate the relationship between companies' cash flow profiles and economic fluctuations, sectoral dynamics, company sizes, and corporate governance structures. This study emphasizes the importance of cash flow analysis in assessing the financial health of companies for investors, analysts, and financial information users, and aims to contribute to future studies on BIST companies.