Liquidity remains supported by a $90.4M cash position, though cash flow generation is inconsistent, evidenced by an OCF/NI ratio of -131.48 in 2026Q1.
| Cash from Operations | 23.58M | 15.12M | 1.54M | 19.35M | -76.28M | -38.15M | -12.07M | -19.99M |
| Operating CF Margin % | - | 4.07% | 0.41% | 5.62% | -24.32% | -11.97% | -4.01% | -8.49% |
| Operating CF Growth % | 274.07% | 881.25% | -92.04% | 125.37% | -99.91% | -216.21% | 39.65% | - |
| Net Income | -18.98M | -15.69M | -6.12M | -39.24M | -49.02M | -38.68M | -14.47M | -31.08M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 9.51M | 9.55M | 9.29M | 9M | 8.93M | 4.15M | 4.85M | 7.67M |
| Stock-Based Compensation | 8.1M | 10.51M | 15.68M | 15.8M | 15.08M | 16.85M | 7.91M | 8.38M |
| Deferred Taxes | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other Non-Cash Items | 26.51M | 24.95M | 746K | -1.37M | -558K | 311K | 166K | -156K |
| Working Capital Changes | -1.56M | -14.21M | -18.04M | 35.16M | -50.71M | -20.78M | -10.53M | -4.8M |
| Change in Receivables | 9.12M | 10.2M | -378K | -682K | -10.84M | -8.99M | 1.46M | -2.46M |
| Change in Inventory | 9.73M | -7.46M | -10.93M | 43.48M | -38.99M | 1M | -24.13M | 4.65M |
| Change in Payables | -13.13M | -11.18M | 3.81M | -9.35M | 10.4M | -6.69M | 13.75M | -5.16M |
| Cash from Investing | -3.18M | -1.51M | -530K | 3.83M | 34.96M | -8.62M | 36.7M | 11.01M |
| Capital Expenditures | -3.18M | -1.51M | -530K | -1.84M | -1.62M | -220K | -200K | -661K |
| CapEx % of Revenue | 0.9% | 0.41% | 0.14% | 0.53% | 0.52% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.28% |
| Acquisitions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.4M | 0 | 0 |
| Investments | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
| Other Investing | 0 | 0 | 0 | -10K | 0 | -8.4M | 0 | 0 |
| Cash from Financing | -2.85M | 535K | 41.6M | 122K | 38K | 60.37M | -973K | -305K |
| Debt Issued (Net) | 0 | -1K | -19K | -58K | -303K | -1.13M | -1.01M | -272K |
| Equity Issued (Net) | -3M | 384K | 41.45M | 0 | 0 | 96.52M | 0 | -285K |
| Dividends Paid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -35M | 0 | 0 |
| Share Repurchases | -3M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -285K |
| Other Financing | 152K | 152K | 163K | 180K | 341K | -23K | 41K | 252K |
| Net Change in Cash | 17.55M | 14.15M | 42.61M | 23.31M | -41.27M | 13.59M | 23.66M | -9.29M |
| Free Cash Flow | 20.4M | 13.61M | 1.01M | 17.5M | -77.89M | -38.37M | -12.27M | -20.65M |
| FCF Margin % | 5.79% | 3.67% | 0.27% | 5.08% | -24.83% | -12.04% | -4.08% | -8.77% |
| FCF Growth % | 1006.94% | 1246.29% | -94.22% | 122.47% | -102.98% | -212.85% | 40.61% | - |
| FCF per Share | 0.18 | 0.12 | 0.01 | 0.19 | -0.84 | -0.54 | -0.14 | -0.23 |
| FCF Conversion (FCF/Net Income) | -1.07x | -0.96x | -0.25x | -0.49x | 1.56x | 0.99x | 0.83x | 0.64x |
| Interest Paid | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1K | 8K | 1.8M | 1.84M | 1.72M |
| Taxes Paid | 0 | 0 | 89K | 116K | 101K | 76K | 102K | 75K |
Persistent Revenue Contraction
According to the provided financial data, the relationship between net income and operating cash flow is erratic, with the OCF/NI ratio fluctuating wildly from -131.48 in 2026Q1 to 91.42 in 2024Q3, suggesting that reported earnings are frequently decoupled from actual cash generation capabilities.
The extreme variance in the OCF/NI ratio indicates that accruals and non-cash adjustments are significantly distorting the company's bottom-line performance. Investors should monitor whether this disconnect stems from aggressive revenue recognition or timing differences in working capital, as it obscures the true underlying profitability of the core business.
As reported in recent financial statements, free cash flow margins have exhibited significant instability, ranging from a peak of 20.5% in 2025Q4 to a low of -17.2% in 2024Q4, which highlights the company's ongoing struggle to maintain positive cash flow generation amidst revenue contraction.
The inability to sustain positive FCF margins suggests that the company's operational model remains highly sensitive to volume fluctuations and cost pressures. This volatility warrants further investigation into whether the business can achieve a self-funding state without relying on periodic working capital swings to mask underlying cash burn.
Based on the company's reported figures, working capital changes have been the primary driver of cash flow volatility, with quarterly shifts ranging from a $15.2M inflow in 2025Q4 to a $19.6M outflow in 2024Q4, indicating a heavy reliance on inventory and receivables management for liquidity.
The significant impact of working capital on cash flow suggests that the company's cash position is highly susceptible to retail inventory loading cycles and collection timing. This dependency implies that operational cash flow may be less a reflection of sustainable demand and more a byproduct of short-term balance sheet optimization.
As evidenced by the lack of dividends and minimal share repurchases, with the exception of a $3.0M buyback in 2026Q1, the company appears to be preserving its cash reserves rather than aggressively deploying capital, likely due to the ongoing uncertainty surrounding its long-term profitability and growth trajectory.
The conservative approach to capital deployment suggests that management is prioritizing balance sheet preservation over aggressive expansion or shareholder returns. This strategy appears prudent given the negative operating margins, yet it may also indicate a lack of high-return internal investment opportunities to drive future growth.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying HNST stock.
The Honest Company, Inc. (HNST) generated $15.1M in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
The Honest Company, Inc. (HNST) generated $13.6M 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.
The Honest Company, Inc. (HNST) spent $1.5M on capital expenditures in 2025. CapEx represents the cash invested in physical assets like property, plant, and equipment to maintain or grow the business.