Cash Flows and Financial Markets
Cash Flows To and From the Firm
The movement of money in a firm follows this process:
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The firm raises money from financial markets by selling shares (equity) and borrowing funds (debt).
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The firm invests this money in current assets and fixed assets.
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These investments generate cash through business operations.
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Part of the cash is used to pay corporate taxes.
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Some remaining cash is reinvested back into the business.
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The rest is returned to financial markets as payments to creditors (interest) and shareholders (dividends).
Financial Markets
Financial markets bring together buyers and sellers of debt and equity securities. They differ based on:
Functions of Financial Markets
Financial markets operate as:
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Primary Markets – Where securities are sold for the first time to raise funds.
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Secondary Markets – Where previously issued securities are bought and sold among investors.
Primary Market
Secondary Market
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Investors trade securities among themselves.
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Corporations do not receive money directly from these trades.
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Secondary markets are important because they provide liquidity, encouraging investors to buy securities initially.
Dealer vs Auction Markets