Operating cash flow of $335.5M in 2026Q3 versus a $56.6M net loss suggests cash conversion is diverging from accounting earnings, while $161.6M in buybacks in the same quarter and a $2.1B investment purchase in 2026Q2 warrant close monitoring of capital allocation.
Credit Acceptance Corporation (CACC) cash flow statement — 30-year operating, investing & financing cash flows
| Metric | TTM | Dec'25 | Dec'24 | Dec'23 | Dec'22 | Dec'21 | Dec'20 | Dec'19 | Dec'18 | Dec'17 | Dec'16 | Dec'15 | Dec'14 | Dec'13 | Dec'12 | Dec'11 | Dec'10 | Dec'09 | Dec'08 | Dec'07 | Dec'06 | Dec'05 | Dec'04 | Dec'03 | Dec'02 | Dec'01 | Dec'00 | Dec'99 | Dec'98 | Dec'97 | Dec'96 |
|---|
| Cash from Operations | 1.26B | 1.05B | 1.14B | 1.2B | 1.24B | 1.07B | 985.2M | 812.3M | 703.9M | 566M | 507.2M | 404.2M | 365.2M | 325.7M | 308.6M | 275.7M | 200.7M | 152.78M | 159.83M | 97.75M | 86.17M | 104.98M | 82.77M | 64.06M | 59.63M | 68.79M | 59.38M | 35.68M | 55.71M | 62.1M | 72.93M |
| Operating CF Growth % | 121.73% | -7.32% | -5.47% | -2.82% | 15.83% | 8.55% | 21.29% | 15.4% | 24.36% | 11.59% | 25.48% | 10.68% | 12.13% | 5.54% | 11.93% | 37.37% | 31.37% | -4.41% | 63.51% | 13.43% | -17.91% | 26.82% | 29.22% | 7.42% | -13.31% | 15.84% | 66.42% | -35.95% | -10.29% | -14.85% | 51% |
| Net Income | 337.1M | 423.9M | 247.9M | 286.1M | 535.8M | 958.3M | 421M | 656.1M | 574M | 470.2M | 332.8M | 299.7M | 266.2M | 253.1M | 219.7M | 188M | 170.1M | 146.25M | 67.18M | 54.92M | 58.64M | 72.68M | 57.33M | 28.18M | 31.12M | 29.2M | 23.65M | -10.7M | 25M | 1.5M | 41.5M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 23M | 26.6M | 27.8M | 26.6M | 25.6M | 26.3M | 23.8M | 22.4M | 19.5M | 16.4M | 15.3M | 14.2M | 13.2M | 13.2M | 12.2M | 10M | 11M | 5.14M | 9.61M | 4.11M | 4.62M | 5.21M | 5.78M | 8.68M | 4.72M | 4.65M | 3.73M | 4.7M | 3.79M | 2.6M | 1.37M |
| Deferred Taxes | 40.5M | 34.6M | -70.4M | -38M | -7.7M | 44.7M | 68.3M | 85.5M | 49.3M | -85.6M | 24.2M | 35.6M | 56.1M | 8.8M | 25M | 15.3M | 13.9M | 17.74M | 11.78M | 20.35M | 636K | 11.96M | 12.86M | 12.71M | 999K | -66K | 934K | -1.3M | -3.52M | 5.6M | 964K |
| Other Non-Cash Items | 839.1M | 617.1M | 839.2M | 738.6M | 481.7M | 8M | 563.6M | 78M | 56.7M | 129.4M | 90.3M | 41.8M | 34.8M | 22M | 24M | 29M | 11.5M | -12.06M | 46.1M | 20.14M | 10.73M | 2.24M | 4.33M | 27.43M | 31.92M | 23.22M | 18.11M | 52.98M | 14.31M | 119.6M | 13.08M |
| Working Capital Changes | -22.2M | -98.3M | 48.4M | 151.4M | 166.8M | 7.3M | -97.7M | -37.3M | -5.9M | 20.2M | 37.2M | 500K | -20.4M | 20.1M | 15.5M | 31.5M | -9.9M | -11.1M | 20.86M | -6.42M | 11.45M | 12.89M | -242K | -12.94M | -9.13M | 11.78M | 12.97M | -9.99M | 16.13M | -67.2M | 16.02M |
| Cash from Investing | -1.02B | -674.3M | -1.72B | -1.42B | -460.6M | 437.3M | -673.5M | -1.02B | -1.24B | -871.8M | -878.2M | -639.5M | -363.4M | -333.6M | -400.9M | -454M | -163.3M | -24.76M | -266.04M | -240.48M | -107.59M | -50.43M | -63.24M | -38.41M | 26.6M | -117.2M | -33.47M | 24.21M | 128.43M | -166M | 268.59M |
| Purchase of Investments | -30.5M | -43.3M | -59M | -43.3M | -50.1M | -38.8M | -43.2M | -40.1M | -43.8M | -34.5M | -39.1M | -34.1M | -65.4M | -105.7M | -57.1M | -500K | -1.1M | -1.45M | -1.51M | -550K | -795K | -3.24M | -928K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.38M | -218K | -3.7M | -3.8M |
| Sale/Maturity of Investments | 26.7M | 45.6M | 46.2M | 8.5M | 35.4M | 40.5M | 13M | 41M | 11.5M | 5.6M | 5.8M | 38.5M | 49.6M | 86.2M | 9.6M | 400K | 1.3M | 1.66M | 1.09M | 898K | 278K | 475.81M | 398.02M | 349.11M | 337.16M | 0 | 375K | 5.19M | 0 | 0 | 5K |
| Net Investment Activity | -3.8M | 2.3M | -12.8M | -34.8M | -14.7M | 1.7M | -30.2M | 900K | -32.3M | -28.9M | -33.3M | 4.4M | -15.8M | -19.5M | -47.5M | -100K | 200K | 210K | -420K | 348K | -517K | 472.57M | 397.09M | 349.11M | 337.16M | 0 | 375K | 3.81M | -218K | -3.7M | -3.79M |
| Acquisitions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -85.18M | -44.22M | -44.27M | -58.5M | -70.95M | -70.11M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16.15M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Investing | -1.01B | -675M | -1.71B | -1.38B | -442.8M | 443.2M | -634.8M | -998.3M | -1.18B | -834.5M | -839.4M | -639.9M | -343.3M | -308.5M | -344.6M | -362.42M | -115.78M | 22.22M | -200.77M | -162.22M | -35.42M | -520.13M | -456.76M | -384.46M | -304.11M | -111.32M | -29.94M | 9.07M | 132.22M | -153.4M | 278.37M |
| Cash from Financing | -221.9M | -724.6M | 957.3M | 266.2M | -794.6M | -1.47B | -433.2M | 400.3M | 599.9M | 330.3M | 436.6M | 235.2M | 400K | 3.1M | 96.6M | 179.2M | -35.8M | -128.99M | 108.62M | 134.96M | 22.84M | -46.99M | -17.8M | -6.68M | -96.08M | 44.63M | -21.08M | -60.94M | -171.44M | 105.6M | -345.43M |
| Dividends Paid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Share Repurchases | -673.3M | -725.4M | -313.3M | -202.6M | -784.5M | -1.47B | -480.8M | -300.4M | -129.1M | -123.5M | -121.7M | -86.5M | -343.7M | -135.2M | -152.5M | -130.8M | -202.2M | -541K | -66K | -9.53M | -247.17M | 0 | -107.24M | -5.32M | -7.01M | -3.26M | -18.85M | -1.51M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stock Issued | 105.2M | 23.5M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.58M | 12.09M | 210K | 5.02M | 2.04M | 3.62M | 2.03M | 124K | 380K | 1.4M | 2.9M | 1.5M |
| Net Stock Activity | -568.1M | -701.9M | -313.3M | -202.6M | -784.5M | -1.47B | -480.8M | -300.4M | -129.1M | -123.5M | -121.7M | -86.5M | -343.7M | -135.2M | -152.5M | -130.8M | -202.2M | -541K | -66K | -6.95M | -235.08M | 210K | -102.21M | -3.28M | -3.4M | -1.23M | -18.73M | -1.13M | 1.4M | 2.9M | 1.5M |
| Debt Issuance (Net) | 0 | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K |
| Other Financing | -4M | -18.8M | -23.1M | -21.7M | 18.9M | -5.4M | -19.5M | -26.1M | -20.7M | -17.1M | 22.5M | -10.3M | -20M | -3.6M | -3.9M | -2.1M | -11.7M | 6.28M | -894K | 5.1M | 25.76M | 0 | 5.02M | 43.55M | -33.37M | 0 | -104.52M | 0 | -38K | -100K | -540.03M |
| Net Change in Cash | 19.4M | -344.3M | 374.1M | 53.2M | -16.5M | 38M | -121.5M | 188.4M | 65.5M | 24.5M | 65.6M | -100K | 2.2M | -4.8M | 4.3M | 900K | 1.6M | -984K | 2.44M | -7.82M | 1.44M | 6.48M | -522K | 22.58M | -2.31M | -5.54M | -839K | -2.65M | 13.43M | 100K | 228K |
| Exchange Rate Effect | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -3K | -9K | 23K | -41K | 15K | -1.09M | -2.26M | 3.62M | 7.54M | -1.76M | -5.67M | -1.6M | 726K | -1.6M | 4.14M |
| Cash at Beginning | 492.1M | 845M | 470.9M | 417.7M | 434.2M | 396.2M | 517.7M | 329.3M | 263.8M | 239.3M | 173.7M | 6.4M | 4.2M | 9M | 4.7M | 3.8M | 2.2M | 3.15M | 712K | 8.53M | 7.09M | 614K | 1.14M | 13.47M | 15.77M | 21.32M | 21.57M | 13.78M | 349K | 200K | 1K |
| Cash at End | 518.2M | 500.7M | 845M | 470.9M | 417.7M | 434.2M | 396.2M | 517.7M | 329.3M | 263.8M | 239.3M | 6.3M | 6.4M | 4.2M | 9M | 4.7M | 3.8M | 2.17M | 3.15M | 712K | 8.53M | 7.09M | 614K | 36.04M | 13.47M | 15.77M | 20.73M | 11.12M | 13.78M | 300K | 229K |
| Interest Paid | 417M | 438.4M | 393.4M | 242.1M | 147.3M | 149.4M | 191.6M | 175.6M | 141M | 108.8M | 88M | 61.8M | 55.2M | 57.5M | 56.2M | 51.4M | 42.5M | 27.56M | 38.99M | 36.13M | 23.06M | 13.24M | 10.92M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Income Taxes Paid | 103.1M | 279.3M | 103.7M | 31.9M | 72.7M | 213.2M | 141.5M | 172.4M | 168.8M | 175M | 111.2M | 146.9M | 99.9M | 119.6M | 92.4M | 76.5M | 81.8M | 67.56M | 3.68M | 14.51M | 25.43M | 23.45M | 26.86M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Free Cash Flow | 1.26B | 1.05B | 1.14B | 1.2B | 1.24B | 1.06B | 976.7M | 785.5M | 678.8M | 557.6M | 501.7M | 400.2M | 360.9M | 320.1M | 299.8M | 269.4M | 197.2M | 149.85M | 153.49M | 90.09M | 84.64M | 102.11M | 79.21M | 60.99M | 53.19M | 62.91M | 55.48M | 30.86M | 52.13M | 53.2M | 66.95M |
| FCF Growth % | 15.31% | -7.31% | -5.31% | -2.9% | 16.37% | 8.71% | 24.34% | 15.72% | 21.74% | 11.14% | 25.36% | 10.89% | 12.75% | 6.77% | 11.28% | 36.61% | 31.59% | -2.37% | 70.37% | 6.44% | -17.11% | 28.92% | 29.86% | 14.67% | -15.45% | 13.38% | 79.77% | -40.8% | -2.01% | -20.53% | 44.28% |
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CACC stock.
Credit Acceptance Corporation (CACC) generated $1.05B in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
Credit Acceptance Corporation (CACC) generated $1.05B in free cash flow in 2025. Free cash flow is the cash left over after capital expenditures, which can be used to pay dividends, repurchase shares, or pay down debt.
Credit Acceptance Corporation (CACC) spent $1.6M on capital expenditures in 2025. CapEx represents the cash invested in physical assets like property, plant, and equipment to maintain or grow the business.
In 2025, Credit Acceptance Corporation (CACC) spent $725.4M on share repurchases. This shows the company's commitment to returning capital to its equity investors.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Volatile operating cash flow dependence
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Operating Cash Flow Masks Earnings Volatility
Based on reported figures, CACC generated operating cash flow of $335.5M in 2026Q3 despite a net loss of $56.6M, while 2026Q2 operating cash flow of $656.3M against net income of $135.9M shows the gap between accounting earnings and cash generation is wide and unstable across quarters.
The operating cash flow to net income ratio swings from -5.93 in 2026Q3 to 4.83 in 2026Q2, which indicates that non-cash provision charges and loan-related accounting entries are driving most of the variance rather than underlying earnings power. Investors should treat operating cash flow as a noisy proxy for capital generation, since the quarterly pattern does not establish a reliable run-rate. The data does not provide regulatory capital ratios, so the implications for organic capital build cannot be confirmed from this cash flow data alone.
Buybacks Continue Despite Negative Earnings
As reported in financial statements, CACC repurchased $161.6M of stock in 2026Q3 following a net loss, with buybacks totaling roughly $1.1B across the ten quarters shown while no dividends were paid.
Continued repurchases in a quarter with negative net income suggest management is deploying capital through share count reduction rather than retaining it, which may be sustainable only if operating cash flow remains positive over time. The absence of dividends means capital return is concentrated in buybacks, making the program more sensitive to cash flow swings. Investors should monitor whether repurchase levels remain tied to operating cash flow or begin to draw on balance sheet resources, though the reported data alone cannot confirm which.
Debt Issuance Negligible Against Cash Generation
Based on EDBL's reported figures, CACC's long-term debt issuance and short-term debt changes were both approximately $1.0M in most recent quarters, a small figure relative to operating cash flow of $335.5M in 2026Q3.
Given that debt flows are minimal in the reported quarters, the company's cash position appears driven primarily by operating cash generation and its investing activity rather than external financing. This pattern is consistent with a business that funds its lending book internally, though the cash flow statement alone does not reveal loan origination volumes or deposit dynamics. Further investigation of the balance sheet would be needed to assess funding structure.
Investment Activity Concentrated in Q2 2026
According to recent SEC filings, CACC's purchases of investments were -$2.1B in 2026Q2 against sales of $1.8B, a large one-quarter deployment that stands out against typical purchases of $7M to $21M in other reported quarters.
The 2026Q2 investment activity appears anomalous relative to the rest of the series, which suggests a discrete portfolio reallocation or treasury operation rather than routine reinvestment. Because purchase and sale amounts were both large in that quarter, the net effect on liquidity is likely smaller than the gross figures imply. The cause of this shift cannot be determined from the cash flow data, so investors should review the filing notes before drawing conclusions about portfolio strategy.
Cash Flow Figures Cannot Confirm Earnings Quality
Based on reported figures, the strong 2026Q2 operating cash flow of $656.3M coincided with a $2.1B investment purchase, so the cash strength may partly reflect balance sheet reclassification rather than improved underlying performance.
Operating cash flow in certain quarters may be inflated or deflated by loan-related timing and provision accounting, which means the reported cash figures could overstate or understate sustainable generation. The absence of off-balance-sheet, credit commitment, and regulatory capital data in this dataset limits any firm conclusion about financial resilience. Investors should treat these cash flow signals as directional and seek the full balance sheet and credit disclosures before relying on them.