Cash Flow Management and Assets Growth of Listed Industrial Goods Firms in Nigeria

Authors

  • Osatohanmwen Favour Idehen Department of  Accounting, Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria
  • Beauty Jackson-Akhigbe Department of Accounting, Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2698-4074 (unauthenticated)
  • Rachael Abusomwan Department of Accounting, Benson Idahosa University, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33003/fujafr-2025.v3i1.150.107-119

Keywords:

Asset Growth, Cash Flow Management, Financing Activities, Investing Cash Flow, Operating Cash Flow

Abstract

This study examined the effect of cash flow management on asset growth among listed industrial goods firms in Nigeria. Specifically, it evaluates how cash flow from operating, investing, and financing activities and cash flow per share contribute to asset growth. The multi-level mixed effect (MLME) regression analysis estimator was used to test the hypotheses. Adopting an ex post facto research design, this study evaluates a sample of fifteen industrial goods firms listed on the Nigerian Exchange Group, selected based on their continuous listing from 2018 to 2023 and the availability of their annual reports, where data were sourced. The descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used, with preliminary tests of normality and multicollinearity checks to guide the regression analysis. The results indicated that cash flow per share does not significantly influence asset growth, but the cash flow from operating, investing, and financing activities has positive influences on asset growth during the period under investigation. This study concludes that effectively managing investing, financing, and operating cash flow activities is essential for asset growth. Based on the findings, this study recommends that stakeholders, including investors, management, and policymakers, should prioritize strategies that enhance cash flow management. Industrial goods firms in Nigeria should focus on optimizing operational cash flow through improved revenue generation and cost management while leveraging financing opportunities to support asset growth. Additionally, prudent investment in productive assets should be given priority, which will further strengthen asset growth opportunities.

References

Abraham, R., Bhimavarapu, V. M., Tao, Z., & Rastogi, S. (2023). The influence of cash ownership on financial performance: An examination of disruptors and acquirers. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 16(3), 197. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm16030197

Adelegan, O. J. (2003). An empirical analysis of the relationship between cash flow and dividend changes in Nigeria. African Development Review, 15(1), 35–49. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-8268.00061

Adeyemi, A. A., Olowookere, J. K., Ibrahim, J., & Olateju, O. A. (2024). Influence of debt financing on income smoothing practices among listed deposit money banks in Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research [FUJAFR], 2(1), 106-117. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33003/fujafr-2024.v2i1.76.106-117

Agrawal, A., & Jayaraman, N. (1994). The dividend policies of all-equity firms: A direct test of the free cash flow theory. Managerial and Decision Economics, 15(2), 139–148. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mde.4090150206

Akbar, S., Shah, S. Z. A., & Stark, A. W. (2011). The value relevance of cash flows, current accruals, and non-current accruals in the UK. International Review of Financial Analysis, 20(5), 311–319. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2011.06.005

Akgün, A. İ., & Memiş Karataş, A. (2023). Do impact of cash flows and working capital ratios on performance of listed firms during the crisis? The cases of EU-28 and Western European countries. Journal of Economic and Administrative Sciences. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JEAS-01-2023-0018

Ali, U., Ormal, L., & Ahmad, F. (2018). Impact of free cash flow on profitability of the firms in automobile sector of Germany. Journal of Economics and Management Sciences, 1(1), 57–67. DOI: https://doi.org/10.31841/KJEMS.2021.93

Andreß, H. J., Golsch, K., & Schmidt, A. W. (2013). Applied panel data analysis for economic and social surveys. Springer Science & Business Media. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-32914-2

Atrill, P., & McLaney, E. (2011). Financial accounting for decision makers. Pearson Education Ltd.

Barton, J., Hansen, T. B., & Pownall, G. (2010). Which performance measures do investors around the world value the most—and why? The Accounting Review, 85(3), 753–789. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2308/accr.2010.85.3.753

Bhattacharya, S., Momaya, K. S., & Iyer, K. C. (2020). Benchmarking enablers to achieve growth performance: A conceptual framework. Benchmarking: An International Journal, 27(4), 1475–1501. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/BIJ-08-2019-0376

Bingilar, P. F., & Oyadongham, K. J. (2014). Cash flow and corporate performance: A study of selected food and beverages companies in Nigeria. European Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance Research, 2(7), 77–87.

Chaidir, R. (2023). The influence of operating cashflows, investments cash flow, and funding cash flow on the company value in the technology sector. Ilomata International Journal of Tax and Accounting, 4(3), 546–560. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52728/ijtc.v4i3.780

Consler, J., Lepak, G. M., & Havranek, S. F. (2011). Earnings per share versus cash flow per share as predictor of dividends per share. Managerial Finance, 37(5), 482-488. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/03074351111126960

Darek Dondo, A. C. (2012). The status of microfinance in Kenya. Paper presented at the Annual Conference on New Development Finance, Goethe University of Frankfurt, September 27 – October 1, 1999.

De Wet, J. H. V. H., & Du Toit, E. (2007). Return on equity: A popular, but flawed measure of corporate financial performance. South African Journal of Business Management, 38(1), 59-69. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajbm.v38i1.578

Etim, E. O., Daferighe, E. E., Enang, E. R., & Nyong, M. B. (2022). Cash flow management and financial performance of selected listed companies in Nigeria. Indo-Asian Journal of Finance and Accounting, 3(1), 27–46. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47509/IAJFA.2022.v03i01.03

Fadun, O. S. (2013). Corporate governance and insurance company growth: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Academic Research in Economics and Management Sciences, 2(1), 286–305.

Frank, B. P., & James, O. K. (2014). Cash flow and corporate performance: A study of selected food and beverages companies in Nigeria. European Journal of Accounting, Auditing and Finance Research, 2(7), 77–87.

Gigler, F., Kanodia, C., & Venugopalan, R. (2007). Assessing the information content of mark‐to‐market accounting with mixed attributes: The case of cash flow hedges. Journal of Accounting Research, 45(2), 257-276. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1475-679X.2007.00232.x

Glass, G. V., Peckham, P. D., & Sanders, J. R. (1972). Consequences of failure to meet assumptions underlying the fixed effects analyses of variance and covariance. Review of Educational Research, 42(3), 237–288. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543042003237

Gül, S., & Taştan, H. (2020). The impact of monetary policy stance, financial conditions, and the GFC on investment-cash flow sensitivity. International Review of Economics & Finance, 69, 692–707. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iref.2020.06.030

Hsiao, C. (2022). Analysis of panel data (No. 64). Cambridge university press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009057745

Hsiao, C. (2007). Panel data analysis—advantages and challenges. Test, 16(1), 1-22. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11749-007-0046-x

İbrahim, K. (2023). The effect of cash flows on firm performance: Research on BIST. Istanbul Journal of Economics, 73(1), 333–358. DOI: https://doi.org/10.26650/ISTJECON2022-1209479

Itan, I., & Riana, W. (2021). The impact of cash flow statement on firm value in Indonesia. In Forum Ekonomi, 23(3), 442–453.

Jameh Bozorgi, M., Bagheri, A., & Karami, A. (2022). Investigating the relationship between types of cash and profitability based on economic, accounting and consolidated approaches. Agricultural Marketing and Commercialization Journal, 6(2), 137–152.

Jacobs, M., Droge, C., Vickery, S. K., & Calantone, R. (2011). Product and process modularity's effects on manufacturing agility and firm growth performance. Journal of Product Innovation Management, 28(1), 123-137. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5885.2010.00785.x

Jensen, M. C. (1986). Agency costs of free cash flow, corporate finance and takeovers. American Economic Review, 76(2).

Jensen, M. C. (1987). The free cash flow theory of takeovers: A financial perspective on mergers and acquisitions and the economy. In Proceedings of a Conference Sponsored by Federal Reserve Bank of Boston (pp. 102–143).

Kantudu, A. S., & Umar, A. S. (2021). Free cash flow and investment efficiency of listed manufacturing companies in Nigeria. SEISENSE Journal of Management, 4(4), 77–88. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33215/sjom.v4i4.698

Kasum, A. S., & Etudaiye-Muthar, O. F. (2014). Corporate governance breach: An overview of the owner- manager agency problem in the Nigerian banking industry. Corporate Governance: An International Perspective, 187-196. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-45167-6_10

Khair, W. M., Diantimala, Y., & Yusmita, F. (2023). The effect of firm financial performance, free cash flow, and cash holding on overinvestment. Journal of Accounting, Finance and Auditing Studies, 9(3), 289–306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32602/jafas.2023.034

Korolo, E. O. (2023). Corporate governance attributes and financial performance of listed industrial goods companies in Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research [FUJAFR], 1(3), 40-51. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33003/fujafr-2023.v1i3.55.40-51

Kumar, K. R., & Krishnan, G. V. (2008). The value-relevance of cash flows and accruals: The role of investment opportunities. The Accounting Review, 83(4), 997–1040. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2308/accr.2008.83.4.997

Laghari, F., Ahmed, F., & López García, M. D. L. N. (2023). Cash flow management and its effect on firm performance: Empirical evidence on non-financial firms of China. PLOS ONE, 18(6), e0287135 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0287135

Lan, Z. J. (2012). The cash flow statement: Tracing the sources and uses of cash. AAII Journal, 34(7), 11– 15.

Liman, M., & Mohammed, A. (2018). Operating cash flow and corporate financial performance of listed conglomerate companies in Nigeria. Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 23(2), 1–11.

Machuga, S. M., Pfeiffer, R. J., & Verma, K. (2002). Economic value added, future accounting earnings, and financial analysts' earnings per share forecasts. Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, 18, 59–73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1013814328460

Muzhingi, T. (2018). The relative value relevance of book values, operating cash flows, EVA and earnings: A South African perspective (master degree thesis, University of Cape Town).

Nangih, E., Ofor, T. N., & Ven, O. (2020). Cash flow management and financial performance of quoted oil and gas firms in Nigeria. Journal of Accounting and Financial Management, 6(4), 1–11.

Ni, Y., Huang, P., Chiang, P., & Liao, Y. (2019). Cash flow statements and firm value: Evidence from Taiwan. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 71, 280–290. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.qref.2018.09.004

Obembe, O. B., Olaniyi, C. O., & Soetan, R. O. (2016). Managerial ownership and performance of listed non-financial firms in Nigeria. International Journal of Business and Emerging Markets, 8(4), 446-461. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1504/IJBEM.2016.079791

Oktavianingsi, D. L., Safkaur, O., & Sesa, P. V. (2021). The effects of information content of cash flow statement, dividend payout ratio, economic value added, and corporate social responsibility on stock trading volume. Journal of Islamic Accounting and Finance Research, 3(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.21580/jiafr.2021.3.1.7715

Oranefo, P. C., & Egbunike, C. F. (2023). Gearing ratio and operating cash flow performance of quoted manufacturing firms in Nigeria. International Journal of Financial, Accounting, and Management, 4(4), 395–410. DOI: https://doi.org/10.35912/ijfam.v4i4.1090

Parast, M. Z., Delkhak, J., & Jamshidi, E. (2013). The study of the effect of relationship between value- added economic, operating cash flow, and the stock market value of pharmaceutical companies. European Online Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, 2(3), 2620–2625.

Park, K., & Jang, S. S. (2013). Capital structure, free cash flow, diversification and firm performance: A holistic analysis. International Journal of Hospitality Management, 33, 51–63. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2013.01.007

Profita, A. S. K. (2016). The impact of free cash flow on the firm’s value. SSRN.

Rahman, A., & Sharma, R. B. (2020). Cash flows and financial performance in the industrial sector of Saudi Arabia: With special reference to insurance and manufacturing sectors. Investment Management & Financial Innovations, 17(4), 76. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21511/imfi.17(4).2020.07

Rosemary, I. H., Prince, A. I., Jack, A. E., Fausat, O. I., Enoch, E. N., & Samuel, U. E. (2021). Cash flow management and industrial firms’ performance in Nigeria. Universal Journal of Accounting and Finance, 9(4), 701–711. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13189/ujaf.2021.090416

Sapuan, N. M., Wahab, N. A., Fauzi, M. A., & Omonov, A. (2021). Analyzing the impacts of free cash flow, agency cost, and firm performance in public listed companies in Malaysia. Journal of Governance and Integrity, 5(1), 211–218. DOI: https://doi.org/10.15282/jgi.5.1.2021.7061

Šarlija, N., Pfeifer, S., Jeger, M., & Bilandžić, A. (2016). Measuring enterprise growth: Pitfalls and implications. International Journal of Social, Behavioural, Educational, Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 10(6), 1792.

Soet, M. A., Muturi, W., & Oluoch, O. (2018). Effect of financing cash flow management on financial performance of mutual funds in Kenya. European Journal of Business, Economics and Accountancy, 6(6), 7–16.

Soje, B., Gambo, E. M. J., & Muhammad, M. I. (2023). Mediating effect of inflation on the relationship between cash flow accounting information and share prices of listed firms in Nigeria. International Research Journal of Economics and Management Studies, 2(2). DOI: https://doi.org/10.56472/25835238/IRJEMS-V2I2P141

Souder, D., Shaver, J. M., Harris, J. D., & Alrashdan, A. (2024). Performance metrics in strategy research: A new metric and method for assessing dynamic value. Strategic Management Journal, 45(1), 144– 167. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smj.3550

Tangngisalu, J. (2020). Effect of cash flow and corporate social responsibility disclosure on firm value. Atestasi: Jurnal Ilmiah Akuntansi, 3(2), 142–149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.57178/atestasi.v3i2.263

Thalya, A. (2023). Analysis of statements of cash flows to assess company performance. Available at SSRN 4339359. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4339359

Thuy, N. T. H., Phuong, T. L., & Thu, H. M. (2018). Impact of cash flow on performance of listed companies in Vietnam: Application of food industry. Proceedings of 14th International Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences 2018 (IC-HUSO 2018), Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Thailand.

Turvey, C. G., Lake, L., Van Duren, E., & Sparling, D. (2000). The relationship between economic value- added and the stock market performance of agribusiness firms. Agribusiness: An International Journal, 16(4), 399–416. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/1520-6297(200023)16:4<399::AID-AGR2>3.3.CO;2-0

Ugo, C. C., & Egbuhuzor, C. A. (2022). Effect of cashflow management on financial performance: Evidence from the pharmaceutical industry in Nigeria. African Journal of Accounting and Financial Research, 5(1), 1–13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.52589/AJAFR-SHMLD3AQ

Watson, J., & Wells, P. A. (2005). The association between various earnings and cash flow measures of firm performance and stock returns: Some Australian evidence. Available at SSRN 815365. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.815365

Wu, N., & Rao, Q. (2017). Enterprise value evaluation: Application and improvement based on cash flow model and economic value-added model. In 2017 International Conference on Humanities Science, Management and Education Technology (HSMET 2017) (pp. 185–190). Atlantis Press. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2991/hsmet-17.2017.38

Downloads

Published

31-03-2025

Issue

Section

List of Contents

How to Cite

Idehen, O. F., Jackson-Akhigbe, B., & Abusomwan, R. (2025). Cash Flow Management and Assets Growth of Listed Industrial Goods Firms in Nigeria. FUDMA Journal of Accounting and Finance Research [FUJAFR], 3(1), 107-119. https://doi.org/10.33003/fujafr-2025.v3i1.150.107-119

Similar Articles

1-10 of 108

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.