Free cash flow generation remains highly erratic, evidenced by a sharp swing from a 10.1% margin in 2025Q2 to a -18.7% margin in 2024Q4.
| 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'00 |
|---|
| Cash from Operations | 27.91M | 44.64M | -33.45M | 38.28M | 68.95M | -29.83M | 34.37M | 36.75M | 40.99M | 2.26M | 49.37M | 55.3M | 9.52M | 19.15M | 24.05M | 7.79M | 17.56M | 18.18M | 9.74M | 47.58M | 36.92M | 44.16M | 34.18M | 10.44M | 18.17M | 24.07M |
| Operating CF Margin % | - | 6.88% | -4.62% | 4.58% | 8.81% | -3.07% | 4.79% | 4.08% | 4.57% | 0.3% | 7.46% | 6.7% | 1.13% | 2.56% | 2.8% | 0.94% | 2.94% | 3.96% | 1.28% | 6.83% | 4.02% | 5.85% | 8.98% | 3.63% | 6.08% | 9.83% |
| Operating CF Growth % | 175.9% | 233.45% | -187.4% | -44.48% | 331.12% | -186.79% | -6.46% | -10.36% | 1716.22% | -95.43% | -10.73% | 480.93% | -50.3% | -20.35% | 208.56% | -55.62% | -3.4% | 86.61% | -79.52% | 28.85% | -16.38% | 29.2% | 227.3% | -42.54% | -24.5% | - |
| Net Income | -17.57M | -22.78M | -27.87M | 49.41M | -21.97M | 23.73M | -37.05M | 15.78M | 44.51M | -1.71M | 6.79M | 7.06M | 7.63M | -12.45M | 50.03M | 18.59M | 6.49M | -81.53M | -206.76M | -3.25M | 58.05M | 49.41M | 17.45M | 3.96M | -45.48M | -866K |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 7.44M | 14.74M | 17.38M | 17.63M | 18.18M | 19.5M | 18.49M | 15.51M | 15.42M | 15.34M | 16.45M | 17.71M | 18.25M | 20.58M | 14.07M | 346K | 10.34M | 16.12M | 19.06M | 17.28M | 15.88M | 12.91M | 7.57M | 8.6M | 9.33M | 9.08M |
| Stock-Based Compensation | 2.02M | 3.79M | 3.9M | 3.85M | 5.8M | 6.25M | 3.46M | 2.84M | 3.14M | 2.5M | 2.61M | 2.85M | 2.74M | 5.28M | 4.71M | 3.62M | 2.78M | 2.83M | 3.78M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deferred Taxes | 0 | 505K | 24.04M | -20.7M | 12.48M | 0 | -12.13M | 1.56M | 5.94M | 7.99M | -2.52M | 8.16M | 3.28M | -398K | -30.76M | -1M | -29K | 123.66M | -1.07M | 9.69M | 9.42M | 7.25M | 1.34M | 1.3M | 4.27M | 0 |
| Other Non-Cash Items | -10.34M | -131K | -24.63M | 2.71M | 14.33M | -871K | 36.68M | 3.37M | 7.54M | 5.56M | 4.02M | 4.08M | 4.73M | 955K | 443K | 22.72M | -1.32M | -81.53M | 216.17M | 13.05M | -6.06M | -2.27M | 10.87M | 6.14M | 53.25M | 15.86M |
| Working Capital Changes | 39.73M | 48.53M | -26.28M | -14.62M | 40.12M | -78.45M | 24.92M | -2.32M | -35.56M | -27.44M | 22.03M | 15.44M | -27.11M | 5.19M | -14.44M | -36.48M | -695K | 38.65M | -21.44M | 10.66M | -40.01M | -23.15M | -3.05M | -9.56M | -3.2M | 0 |
| Change in Receivables | 34.28M | 34.19M | 10.7M | 18.82M | 19.17M | -23.57M | -34.28M | 18.82M | -35.67M | -13.79M | 25.5M | 166K | -27.88M | -6.93M | 15.13M | -39.84M | -17.45M | 28.19M | 692K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Change in Inventory | 7.04M | 11.29M | -13.04M | 15M | -3.67M | -50.28M | -6.83M | 9.49M | 4.84M | -25.1M | 2.99M | 6.76M | -5.37M | 8.55M | -6.75M | -9.96M | -9.15M | 34.46M | -533K | 3.81M | -16.6M | -11.57M | -6.24M | 1.21M | -144K | 0 |
| Change in Payables | -6.14M | -4.05M | 2.83M | -44.08M | 21.84M | 0 | 48.05M | -24.26M | 1.45M | 23.25M | -4.26M | -3.64M | 3.06M | 11.46M | -25.27M | 13.12M | 23.75M | -25.53M | -19.85M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cash from Investing | 6.44M | -10.61M | 30.9M | -19.7M | -19.71M | -17.57M | -6.42M | -57.98M | -14.1M | -10.78M | -8.9M | -14.51M | -12.29M | -12.95M | -42.76M | -32.38M | -9.96M | -7.75M | -10.13M | -53.29M | -27.63M | -188.57M | -8.91M | -5.97M | -4.94M | -3.05M |
| Capital Expenditures | -9.51M | -10.65M | -18.52M | -19.7M | -19.71M | -17.65M | -7.14M | -24M | -14.15M | -13.46M | -11.43M | -14.69M | -13.7M | -12.63M | -17.32M | -21.32M | -10.1M | -5.61M | -12.11M | -16.98M | -19.33M | -15.96M | -8.91M | -5.97M | -4.94M | -3.17M |
| CapEx % of Revenue | 1.46% | 1.64% | 2.56% | 2.36% | 2.52% | 1.82% | 1% | 2.66% | 1.58% | 1.78% | 1.73% | 1.78% | 1.63% | 1.69% | 2.02% | 2.56% | 1.69% | 1.22% | 1.59% | 2.44% | 2.1% | 2.11% | 2.34% | 2.07% | 1.65% | 1.3% |
| Acquisitions | 0 | 0 | 44.96M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -34M | 49K | 2.68M | 37K | 108K | 0 | 0 | -24.52M | -11.11M | 0 | 0 | -3.81M | -36.05M | -9.45M | -170.85M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Investments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other Investing | 15.95M | 45K | 4.46M | 0 | 0 | 87K | 722K | 23K | 49K | 2.68M | 2.53M | 179K | 1.42M | -323K | -916K | 63K | 146K | -2.14M | 5.78M | -262K | 1.15M | -1.76M | -5.97M | 0 | 0 | 123K |
| Cash from Financing | -26.84M | -29.23M | -7.12M | -12.73M | -50.09M | 31.01M | -19.26M | -10.11M | -5.83M | -72.85M | -714K | -16.01M | 514K | -937K | -1.18M | 70.93M | 24.73M | -5.62M | 5.04M | -2.39M | -27.95M | 188.55M | -28.43M | -2.76M | -14.82M | -13.16M |
| Debt Issued (Net) | -89.72M | -22.71M | -6.06M | -10.94M | -43.8M | -6.4M | -14.38M | -8.53M | -4.38M | -69.94M | 0 | -15M | 1.04M | 0 | 22K | 79.07M | 0 | -5.04M | 5.44M | -2.39M | -30.62M | 138.41M | -75.58M | -2.76M | -14.88M | 0 |
| Equity Issued (Net) | -248K | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.34M | -1.28M | 0 | 0 | -1.13M | -1.36M | 0 | 0 | -527K | 38K | 0 | 5K | 25.36M | 4K | -41K | 165K | 2.02M | 45.8M | 47.1M | 0 | 54K | 0 |
| 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 |
| Share Repurchases | -248K | 0 | 0 | 0 | -1.34M | -1.28M | 0 | 0 | -1.13M | -1.36M | -714K | -417K | -527K | -831K | -1.21M | 0 | 0 | -635K | -41K | -299K | -115K | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Financing | 63.13M | -6.53M | -1.06M | -1.79M | -4.95M | 38.69M | -4.89M | -1.59M | -329K | -1.54M | -714K | -1.01M | 0 | -975K | -1.2M | -8.15M | -629K | -584K | -355K | -170K | 645K | 4.34M | 48K | 0 | 0 | -13.16M |
| Net Change in Cash | 8.47M | 6.65M | -11.22M | 6.02M | -3.13M | -15.54M | 10.99M | -31.4M | 18.67M | -77.92M | 37.97M | 22.1M | -2.6M | 4.33M | -19.59M | 45.36M | 33.07M | 2.21M | -2.56M | -9.95M | -20.82M | 39.24M | -2.09M | 1.85M | -1.51M | 7.86M |
| Free Cash Flow | 18.4M | 33.99M | -51.97M | 18.58M | 49.24M | -47.48M | 27.23M | 12.74M | 26.84M | -11.2M | 37.94M | 40.61M | -4.18M | 6.53M | 6.73M | -13.53M | 7.46M | 12.58M | -2.37M | 30.59M | 17.59M | 28.2M | 25.27M | 4.47M | 13.23M | 20.89M |
| FCF Margin % | 2.83% | 5.24% | -7.18% | 2.22% | 6.29% | -4.89% | 3.79% | 1.41% | 2.99% | -1.48% | 5.73% | 4.92% | -0.5% | 0.87% | 0.78% | -1.63% | 1.25% | 2.74% | -0.31% | 4.39% | 1.92% | 3.74% | 6.64% | 1.56% | 4.43% | 8.53% |
| FCF Growth % | 155.43% | 165.4% | -379.72% | -62.26% | 203.69% | -274.38% | 113.67% | -52.52% | 339.64% | -129.53% | -6.59% | 1070.47% | -164.11% | -2.94% | 149.71% | -281.33% | -40.66% | 631.31% | -107.74% | 73.88% | -37.6% | 11.59% | 464.69% | -66.19% | -36.66% | - |
| FCF per Share | 0.52 | 1.00 | -1.56 | 0.55 | 1.52 | -1.45 | 0.88 | 0.41 | 0.88 | -0.37 | 1.27 | 1.38 | -0.14 | 0.23 | 0.24 | -0.48 | 0.28 | 0.58 | -0.11 | 1.43 | 0.82 | 1.43 | 1.62 | 0.33 | 0.95 | 1.50 |
| FCF Conversion (FCF/Net Income) | -1.05x | -1.96x | 1.20x | 0.77x | -3.14x | -1.26x | -0.93x | 2.33x | 0.92x | -1.32x | 7.28x | 7.83x | 1.25x | -1.54x | 0.48x | 0.42x | 2.71x | -0.22x | -0.05x | -14.63x | 0.64x | 0.89x | 1.96x | 2.63x | -0.40x | -27.79x |
| Interest Paid | 2.8M | 0 | 11.7M | 12.8M | 0 | 8.46M | 12.19M | 13.87M | 14.05M | 18.57M | 18.68M | 19.94M | 19.83M | 19.96M | 19.94M | 20.51M | 10.58M | 13.23M | 13.69M | 13.19M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Taxes Paid | 0 | 0 | 8.4M | 10.9M | 0 | 0 | 2.48M | 8.77M | 3.14M | 3.28M | 2.5M | 1.54M | 1.39M | 2.34M | 4.57M | 1.18M | 20.87M | 4.15M | 3.29M | 10.81M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Cyclical Cash Flow Volatility
As indicated by the provided financial data, CVGI exhibits a persistent divergence between net income and operating cash flow, with OCF/NI ratios frequently falling into negative territory, suggesting that reported earnings are not reliably translating into the cash generation required to sustain the company's capital-intensive manufacturing operations.
The frequent mismatch between net income and operating cash flow suggests that accrual-based accounting adjustments are significantly obscuring the underlying cash-generating capacity of the business. Investors should monitor whether this disconnect stems from aggressive revenue recognition or timing differences in working capital, as it complicates the assessment of true operational health.
Based on the reported quarterly figures, CVGI's free cash flow trajectory remains highly erratic, with margins swinging from a peak of 10.1% in 2025Q2 to a deep trough of -18.7% in 2024Q4, reflecting the company's inability to maintain consistent cash flow generation during periods of cyclical demand contraction.
The extreme volatility in FCF margins highlights the company's sensitivity to volume fluctuations, which directly impacts its ability to fund operations internally. This lack of consistency suggests that the business model may be structurally ill-equipped to handle the current downturn without relying on external financing or further balance sheet strain.
According to the historical cash flow statements, CVGI's liquidity is heavily dependent on volatile working capital movements, with quarterly changes ranging from a $25.5 million inflow in 2025Q2 to a $20.2 million outflow in 2024Q4, indicating that cash flow is often dictated by timing rather than operational efficiency.
The reliance on working capital fluctuations to bridge the gap between operating cash flow and net income suggests that the company may be struggling to manage its inventory and receivables effectively. This pattern warrants further investigation into whether the company is pulling forward collections or delaying payables to manage short-term liquidity needs.
As reported in the financial statements, CVGI continues to deploy capital toward maintenance and growth initiatives, with CapEx/Revenue ratios averaging roughly 2% despite a 10.28% year-over-year revenue decline, which may indicate a lack of flexibility in scaling back capital expenditures during a cooling demand environment.
Maintaining consistent capital intensity while revenue is contracting suggests that the company is either committed to long-term strategic investments or is burdened by fixed asset requirements that cannot be easily deferred. This rigidity in capital spending may further pressure free cash flow if the current cyclical downturn in Class 8 truck production persists.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying CVGI stock.
Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (CVGI) generated $44.6M in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (CVGI) generated $34.0M 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.
Commercial Vehicle Group, Inc. (CVGI) spent $10.7M on capital expenditures in 2025. CapEx represents the cash invested in physical assets like property, plant, and equipment to maintain or grow the business.