Cash conversion is exceptional with OCF/NI reaching 2.64 in 2026Q2 and FCF margin at 89.0%, yet buybacks of $753.3M in 2026Q2 exceeded operating cash flow of $559.6M, indicating a capital return strategy funded by reserves.
Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) cash flow statement — 27-year operating, investing & financing cash flows
| Metric | TTM | Jan'26 | Jan'25 | 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 |
|---|
| Cash from Operations | 1.44B | 884.27M | 699.97M | 333.32M | 362.61M | 400.8M | 208.98M | 526.96M | 415.72M | 165.61M | 206.3M | -141.59M | -235.41M | -198.77M | -123.15M | -159.23M | -101.05M | -14.59M | -9.76M | -68.74M | -45.34M | -46.36M | -93.84M | -79.24M | -30.92M | -23.77M | -12.87M | -7.3M |
| Operating CF Margin % | - | 38.11% | 32.28% | 18.21% | 22.51% | 27.93% | 21.16% | 54.45% | 48.69% | 36.6% | 107.75% | -380.89% | -937.46% | -634.29% | -259.53% | -54.98% | -54.61% | -9.61% | -8.28% | -60.58% | -45.95% | -61.03% | -177.53% | -153.74% | -69.77% | -57.96% | -51.97% | -69.52% |
| Operating CF Growth % | 1107.1% | 26.33% | 110% | -8.08% | -9.53% | 91.79% | -60.34% | 26.76% | 151.02% | -19.72% | 245.7% | 39.85% | -18.43% | -61.41% | 22.66% | -57.58% | -592.54% | -49.54% | 85.81% | -51.61% | 2.2% | 50.59% | -18.42% | -156.23% | -30.11% | -84.72% | -76.26% | - |
| Net Income | 860.62M | 782.57M | 521.27M | 207.76M | 182.28M | 231.06M | 111.78M | 321.01M | 690.07M | 154.23M | -70.22M | -169.74M | -268.54M | -244.76M | -147.65M | 75.7M | -92.33M | -139.56M | -162.85M | -86.38M | -101.49M | -84.4M | -137.25M | -94.77M | -86.13M | -71.19M | -75.31M | -18.7M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 35.25M | 29.05M | 28.8M | 25.72M | 20.88M | 13.63M | 9.14M | 8.35M | 7.77M | 1.19M | 1M | 1.41M | 2.39M | 3.15M | 5.72M | 6.82M | 10.54M | 12.6M | 13.23M | 11.33M | 16.91M | 17.75M | 17.49M | 17.75M | 16.7M | 15.21M | 18.86M | 5.7M |
| Stock-Based Compensation | 141.65M | 112.98M | 93.84M | 106.34M | 107.57M | 119.82M | 105.07M | 56.6M | 44.32M | 23.94M | 22.91M | 21.98M | 10.01M | 12.03M | 8.83M | 12.1M | 21.11M | 22.91M | 0 | 0 | 17.61M | 110K | 56K | 2.46M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Deferred Taxes | 0 | 126.24M | -59.46M | -133.21M | -60.36M | 46.53M | 15.27M | 71M | -244.11M | 3.26M | 11.41M | 436K | -2.68M | 0 | -950K | -77.45M | -4.87M | 7.77M | 0 | 0 | -39.29M | -110K | -56K | -2.46M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Non-Cash Items | 173.78M | 24.62M | 128.98M | 140.68M | 125.04M | 28.77M | 7.87M | 2.91M | -2.57M | -10.05M | 13.93M | 30.18M | 33.7M | 33.08M | 19.54M | 88.49M | 6.83M | 1.62M | 6.57M | -40.46M | 18.37M | -9.63M | 26.86M | 1.53M | 3.66M | 16.7M | 38.02M | 0 |
| Working Capital Changes | 13.5M | -191.2M | -13.45M | -13.97M | -12.8M | -39.01M | -40.14M | 67.08M | -79.76M | -6.95M | 227.27M | -25.84M | -10.28M | -2.27M | -8.64M | -264.88M | -42.33M | 80.07M | 133.3M | 46.77M | 42.55M | 29.92M | -947K | -3.74M | 34.84M | 15.51M | 5.57M | 5.7M |
| Change in Receivables | -71.89M | -21.4M | -27.95M | -22.62M | 66.85M | -122.32M | -42.47M | 43.72M | -85.47M | -40.84M | -37M | -646K | -941K | 8.49M | 27.04M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Change in Inventory | 2.83M | 12.22M | 5.45M | -12.98M | -11.68M | -13.21M | -21.9M | -5.73M | -3.18M | -3.32M | -722K | -235K | 509K | -2.89M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41K | 0 |
| Change in Payables | -25.91M | -50.15M | -21.89M | 53.25M | 23.36M | 55.09M | 50.51M | 39.69M | 856K | 3.01M | 164K | -1.28M | -13.21M | 8.69M | 6.32M | -5.55M | -9.44M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12.16M | 355K | 764K | -3.38M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cash from Investing | 41.94M | 350.44M | -116.78M | -26.95M | -524.41M | -42.88M | -131.22M | -587.25M | -297.85M | 35.8M | -216.05M | 50.08M | 146.33M | 144.35M | -259.47M | -51.46M | -19.57M | -112.32M | 121.37M | -3.02M | -21.7M | -36.07M | 20.46M | -14.6M | 46.81M | 5.41M | -96.44M | -6.5M |
| Capital Expenditures | -4.15M | -8.43M | -28.43M | -40.47M | -27.71M | -54.23M | -30.34M | -12.83M | -33.3M | -21.14M | -1.7M | -447K | -474K | -2.17M | -2.72M | -991K | -1.81M | -5.91M | -15.13M | -17.4M | -11.61M | -14.36M | -12.34M | -14.25M | -5.85M | -9.09M | -15.39M | -5M |
| CapEx % of Revenue | 0.17% | 0.36% | 1.31% | 2.21% | 1.72% | 3.78% | 3.07% | 1.33% | 3.9% | 4.67% | 0.89% | 1.2% | 1.89% | 6.93% | 5.73% | 0.34% | 0.98% | 3.89% | 12.84% | 15.33% | 11.77% | 18.9% | 23.34% | 27.64% | 13.2% | 22.18% | 62.14% | 47.62% |
| Acquisitions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 308K | 164K | 2.49M | 95K | 838K | 143K | 1.94M | 3.01M | 9M | 2.2M | 9M | 35.31M | 10K | 186K | -1.6M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Investments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other Investing | -23.12M | -31.5M | -37.75M | -122.5M | -110.75M | -10M | 0 | 0 | 308K | -1M | -1.4M | 15.48M | 12.6M | 11.18M | -35.99M | 1.53M | 165K | -2.43M | 3.22M | 2.4M | 3.05M | -30.68M | -11.2M | -4.84M | -5.76M | 8.83M | 10.08M | 0 |
| Cash from Financing | -1.62B | -969.59M | -628.81M | -546.05M | 586K | -14.8M | -25.13M | 12.55M | 9.69M | -169.93M | 19.8M | 152.75M | 65.49M | -11.67M | 478.43M | 187.51M | 131.26M | -33.99M | 630K | 84.25M | 109.34M | 100.93M | 39.65M | 114.67M | 32.63M | 34.35M | 123.46M | 17.1M |
| Debt Issued (Net) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -13K | -185.79M | -7.71M | -4.38M | -11.71M | -13.17M | 272.8M | -6.03M | 125.44M | -38.06M | -3.83M | 490K | -27.2M | 1.49M | 34.59M | 37.1M | 24.8M | 21.43M | -2.77M | 8.3M |
| Equity Issued (Net) | -1.53B | -898.37M | -652.03M | -550.38M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 157.13M | 75.64M | 0 | 203.48M | 179.38M | 0 | 3.83M | 4.15M | 83.76M | 96.54M | 62.44M | 5.06M | 76.83M | 6.83M | 12.93M | 125.93M | 8.9M |
| 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 |
| Share Repurchases | -1.55B | -947.51M | -652.03M | -550.38M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -7.57M | -6.56M | -4.11M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Financing | -90.09M | -71.22M | 23.23M | 4.33M | 586K | -14.8M | -25.13M | 12.55M | 9.7M | 15.86M | 23.41M | 0 | 1.56M | 1.5M | 2.15M | 14.17M | 5.82M | 248K | 310K | 0 | 40M | 37M | 0 | 733K | 995K | 0 | 297K | -100K |
| Net Change in Cash | -181.47M | 265.11M | -45.62M | -239.68M | -161.21M | 343.12M | 52.63M | -47.74M | 127.56M | 31.48M | 10.05M | 61.24M | -23.58M | -66.09M | 95.81M | -23.18M | 10.64M | -160.9M | 112.24M | 12.09M | 42.04M | 18.37M | -33.72M | 21.55M | 48.94M | 16.03M | 14.15M | 3.3M |
| Free Cash Flow | 1.43B | 844.34M | 633.79M | 170.35M | 224.16M | 336.58M | 178.64M | 514.12M | 382.42M | 144.47M | 204.59M | -142.03M | -235.88M | -200.94M | -125.86M | -160.22M | -102.86M | -20.5M | -24.89M | -86.14M | -56.95M | -60.72M | -106.17M | -93.48M | -36.77M | -32.86M | -28.25M | -12.3M |
| FCF Margin % | 58.73% | 36.39% | 29.22% | 9.31% | 13.91% | 23.46% | 18.09% | 53.12% | 44.79% | 31.93% | 106.86% | -382.09% | -939.35% | -641.22% | -265.25% | -55.32% | -55.59% | -13.51% | -21.12% | -75.91% | -57.72% | -79.93% | -200.87% | -181.38% | -82.97% | -80.14% | -114.11% | -117.14% |
| FCF Growth % | 97.92% | 33.22% | 272.04% | -24% | -33.4% | 88.42% | -65.25% | 34.44% | 164.71% | -29.39% | 244.05% | 39.79% | -17.39% | -59.65% | 21.45% | -55.77% | -401.78% | 17.64% | 71.11% | -51.25% | 6.21% | 42.81% | -13.57% | -154.21% | -11.91% | -16.31% | -129.7% | - |
| FCF per Share | 5.51 | 3.00 | 2.14 | 0.53 | 0.69 | 1.04 | 0.56 | 1.63 | 1.22 | 0.46 | 0.82 | -0.68 | -1.21 | -1.09 | -0.79 | -1.23 | -0.95 | -0.19 | -0.24 | -0.87 | -0.66 | -0.77 | -1.46 | -1.43 | -0.65 | -0.71 | -0.91 | -2.08 |
| FCF Conversion (FCF/Net Income) | 1.66x | 1.13x | 1.34x | 1.60x | 1.99x | 1.73x | 1.87x | 1.64x | 0.60x | 1.07x | -2.94x | 0.83x | 0.88x | 0.81x | 0.83x | -2.10x | 1.09x | 0.11x | 0.06x | 0.80x | 0.45x | 0.55x | 0.68x | 0.84x | 0.36x | 0.33x | 0.17x | 0.39x |
| Interest Paid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20.46M | 21.04M | 19.82M | 19.11M | 0 | 6.98M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Taxes Paid | 0 | 155.3M | 170.48M | 185.66M | 127.87M | 12.96M | 4.12M | 7.87M | 10.68M | 538K | 190K | 192K | 60K | 0 | 1.12M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying EXEL stock.
Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) generated $884.3M in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) generated $844.3M 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.
Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) spent $8.4M 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, Exelixis, Inc. (EXEL) spent $947.5M on share repurchases. This shows the company's commitment to returning capital to its equity investors.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Revenue concentration in cabozantinib
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Cash Conversion Strengthens Despite Volatility
Exelixis' operating cash flow exceeded net income in most quarters, with OCF/NI reaching 2.64 in 2026Q2, according to recent SEC filings, indicating high earnings quality.
The OCF/NI ratio has been consistently above 1.0 except for 2025Q2 (0.27) and 2024Q2 (0.53), where working capital swings compressed cash generation. The 2026Q2 surge to 2.64 suggests that net income understates cash generation, likely due to favorable working capital changes and non-cash items. This pattern implies that reported earnings are backed by strong cash flows, though investors should monitor the quarterly volatility.
Free Cash Flow Momentum Accelerates
Free cash flow margin expanded to 89.0% in 2026Q2 from 8.0% in 2025Q2, as reported in financial statements, reflecting a sharp rebound in cash generation.
The FCF margin has improved dramatically from a trough in 2025Q2, driven by revenue growth and minimal capex. The 2026Q2 FCF of $559.6M is the highest in the period, suggesting that the company is converting revenue into cash at an exceptional rate. This trajectory indicates that Exelixis is generating substantial cash to fund shareholder returns and pipeline investments.
Minimal Capital Intensity Supports Cash Flow
Capital expenditures remain negligible, with CapEx/Revenue below 0.5% in recent quarters, per the cash flow statement, underscoring an asset-light business model.
Exelixis' capex is minimal, averaging less than 1% of revenue, which is typical for a biotech with outsourced manufacturing. This low capital intensity means that operating cash flow largely translates into free cash flow, enhancing the company's ability to return capital to shareholders. The lack of significant capex suggests that growth is not capital-intensive, but investors should consider whether this limits future scalability.
Working Capital Swings Drive Cash Flow Volatility
Working capital changes have been erratic, with a $180.3M drag in 2025Q2 and a $104.2M boost in 2024Q4, based on reported figures, causing quarterly cash flow fluctuations.
The working capital line item has swung between positive and negative contributions, indicating that collections and payables management are not stable. The large negative in 2025Q2 suggests a build-up in receivables or inventory, while the positive in 2024Q4 indicates efficient collection. This volatility may reflect timing of payments from partners or distributors, and investors should monitor whether it stabilizes as revenue grows.
Aggressive Buybacks Outpace Cash Generation
Exelixis repurchased $753.3M of stock in 2026Q2, exceeding its $559.6M operating cash flow, as per the cash flow statement, indicating a capital return strategy funded by cash reserves.
The company has consistently repurchased shares each quarter, with buybacks accelerating to $753.3M in 2026Q2, which is larger than the quarter's operating cash flow. This suggests that Exelixis is using its balance sheet to fund buybacks, potentially reducing share count and boosting EPS. While this signals confidence, investors should assess whether the pace is sustainable without compromising liquidity or investment in pipeline.
Cumulative Cash Generation Exceeds Net Income
Over the past ten quarters, cumulative operating cash flow of $2.4B surpasses cumulative net income of $1.7B, according to financial statements, indicating strong cash conversion.
The cumulative OCF of approximately $2.4B versus net income of $1.7B shows that Exelixis has generated more cash than accounting earnings, a positive signal for earnings quality. This divergence is partly due to non-cash charges like SBC and D&A, but also reflects efficient working capital management. The trend suggests that the company's profitability is backed by real cash, though the gap may narrow if working capital turns negative.
What Could Invalidate the Base Case
Despite robust cash generation, the heavy reliance on buybacks and potential working capital volatility could strain liquidity, as per the cash flow statement, warranting caution.
The aggressive buyback pace, exceeding operating cash flow in 2026Q2, may indicate that the company is prioritizing shareholder returns over building cash reserves. Additionally, the erratic working capital changes could signal underlying operational instability, which might not be captured by net income. Investors should monitor whether these trends persist, as they could affect the sustainability of the capital return program.