Cash generation remains erratic, evidenced by a negative $36 million free cash flow in 2026Q1 despite the firm executing $150 million in share repurchases during the same period.
| 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 |
|---|
| Cash from Operations | 1.43B | 1.29B | 911M | 1.64B | 1.35B | 22M | 1.36B | 1.31B | 1.87B | 1.58B | 3.69B | 3.25B | 3.63B | 3.26B | 3.28B | 4.36B | 2.55B |
| Operating CF Growth % | 743.13% | 41.38% | -44.38% | 21.15% | 6045.45% | -98.38% | 3.97% | -29.87% | 18.08% | -57.15% | 13.67% | -10.49% | 11.19% | -0.57% | -24.67% | 70.88% | - |
| Net Income | 693M | 654M | 667M | 625M | 510M | 3.13B | -49M | -310M | 907M | -2.77B | -298M | 538M | 2.53B | 788.6M | 611.2M | 102.8M | -133.2M |
| Depreciation & Amortization | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 98.6M | 92.5M | 90.6M | 85.4M | 90.5M | 96M | 98.7M |
| Deferred Taxes | 0 | 0 | 37M | 0 | 0 | 410M | -9M | -318M | -81M | 814M | -151M | -107M | -1.82B | -110.8M | -44.5M | 236.6M | 600.1M |
| Other Non-Cash Items | 936M | 124M | 112M | 315M | 1.14B | -3.29B | 88M | 1.03B | 1.07B | 3.07B | 2.75B | 2.61B | 1.05B | 1.88B | 1.43B | 1.09B | 2.1B |
| Working Capital Changes | 160M | 510M | 95M | 698M | -300M | -317M | 1.24B | 806M | -120M | 355M | 1.19B | 38M | 1.68B | 536M | 1.14B | 2.77B | -118.8M |
| Cash from Investing | -1.97B | -1.37B | -141M | 2.53B | -1.95B | -327M | -2.46B | -1.25B | -282M | -2.43B | -3.68B | -4.27B | -3.31B | -1.89B | -2.38B | -2.95B | -1.66B |
| Purchase of Investments | -7.48B | -12.93B | -7M | -6.41B | -12.21B | -8.11B | -6.95B | -6.54B | -7.57B | -6.49B | -9.89B | -8.9B | -13.01B | -19.06B | -17.33B | -18.66B | -24.94B |
| Sale/Maturity of Investments | 5.63B | 11.32B | 35M | 9.36B | 10.34B | 7.17B | 5.65B | 6.64B | 6.92B | 7.23B | 8.22B | 8.73B | 11.92B | 19.11B | 13.33B | 15.54B | 21.79B |
| Net Investment Activity | -1.85B | -1.61B | 28M | 2.95B | -1.88B | -937M | -1.3B | 105M | -654M | 740M | -1.66B | -166M | -1.1B | 42.9M | -4B | -3.12B | -3.14B |
| Acquisitions | -1.19B | 224M | -60M | -584M | -2M | -467M | -707M | -997M | 371M | -80M | 516M | -2.25B | -2.15B | -685.8M | -352.9M | -656.9M | -22.9M |
| Other Investing | 1.07B | 18M | -109M | 166M | -65M | 1.08B | -457M | -363M | 1M | -3.09B | -2.54B | -1.86B | -69.3M | -1.24B | 1.98B | 825.8M | 1.51B |
| Cash from Financing | 615M | -85M | -759M | -4.06B | 28M | -265M | 1.7B | -121M | -1.76B | -349M | 389M | 1.01B | -624.6M | -323.8M | 242.6M | -1.38B | -1.55B |
| Dividends Paid | -176M | -219M | -209M | -163M | -119M | -116M | -112M | -72M | -6M | -8M | -8M | -9M | -10.1M | -5.2M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Share Repurchases | -350M | -200M | -640M | -369M | -750M | -1.11B | -516M | -1.14B | -1.02B | -923M | -687M | -1.49B | -789.4M | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Stock Issued | 5M | 5M | 6M | 0 | 7M | 4M | 4M | 3M | 3M | 3M | 1M | 0 | 0 | 571.6M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Net Stock Activity | -345M | -195M | -634M | -369M | -743M | -1.11B | -512M | -1.13B | -1.02B | -920M | -686M | -1.49B | -789.4M | 571.6M | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Debt Issuance (Net) | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | 1000K | -1000K | 1000K | -1000K | -1000K |
| Other Financing | 1.01B | 832M | -44M | -3.17B | 560M | 1.19B | 2.6B | 701M | -783M | 539M | 1.42B | 1.64B | -150.6M | -236.3M | -1.69B | 472.2M | -1.11B |
| Net Change in Cash | 80M | -166M | 11M | 111M | -566M | -570M | 603M | -66M | -178M | -1.2B | 398M | -18M | -309.9M | 1.05B | 1.15B | 22.7M | -654.1M |
| Exchange Rate Effect | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cash at Beginning | 1.35B | 1.51B | 206M | 1.01B | 1.57B | 2.14B | 1.54B | 1.54B | 1.72B | 2.91B | 2.51B | 2.53B | 2.84B | 1.79B | 638M | 615.3M | 1.27B |
| Cash at End | 1.09B | 1.35B | 217M | 1.12B | 1.01B | 1.57B | 2.14B | 1.47B | 1.54B | 1.72B | 2.91B | 2.51B | 2.53B | 2.84B | 1.79B | 638M | 615.3M |
| Interest Paid | 0 | 0 | 103M | 113M | 131M | 157M | 154M | 159M | 180M | 174M | 190M | 179M | 178.6M | 147.4M | 114.9M | 191.4M | 585M |
| Income Taxes Paid | 0 | 0 | 5M | 4M | 14M | 3M | 0 | 0 | 1M | 0 | 69M | 78M | 44.5M | 44.6M | 3.5M | 17.6M | 42.3M |
| Free Cash Flow | 1.43B | 1.29B | 911M | 1.64B | 1.35B | 22M | 1.36B | 1.31B | 1.87B | 1.58B | 3.69B | 3.25B | 3.63B | 3.26B | 3.28B | 4.36B | 2.55B |
| FCF Growth % | 53.05% | 41.38% | -44.38% | 21.15% | 6045.45% | -98.38% | 3.97% | -29.87% | 18.08% | -57.15% | 13.67% | -10.49% | 11.19% | -0.57% | -24.67% | 70.88% | - |
Volatile operating cash conversion
As evidenced by the quarterly data, Voya's operating cash flow to net income ratio has fluctuated wildly, ranging from a negative 0.18 in 2026Q1 to a high of 6.31 in 2024Q3, suggesting that reported earnings are frequently decoupled from actual cash generation capabilities.
The extreme variance in the OCF/NI ratio indicates that non-cash adjustments or significant working capital swings are heavily distorting the firm's earnings quality. Investors should monitor whether these discrepancies stem from recurring insurance-related accruals or if they represent a more fundamental instability in the underlying cash-generating business model.
Based on the provided financial statements, Voya's free cash flow trajectory appears highly unstable, with the company reporting negative cash flow in two of the last ten quarters, including a $36 million outflow in 2026Q1, which complicates the assessment of its long-term cash-generating potential.
The lack of a consistent positive FCF trend suggests that the company's transition to a capital-light model has not yet translated into predictable cash inflows. This volatility may force management to rely on balance sheet liquidity rather than internal cash generation to fund ongoing shareholder return programs.
According to recent filings, Voya has maintained a consistent pattern of share repurchases and dividend payments, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars annually, even during periods where operating cash flow turned negative, such as the $150 million buyback executed during the 2026Q1 cash outflow.
This commitment to capital return despite erratic cash flow suggests a management strategy prioritized toward supporting equity valuation. However, such aggressive deployment may be unsustainable if the underlying cash flow volatility persists, potentially limiting the firm's flexibility to pursue strategic acquisitions or organic growth initiatives.
As reported in the cash flow statements, Voya experienced a significant $160 million working capital inflow in 2025Q4, which stands in stark contrast to the $85 million outflow observed in 2024Q4, highlighting the material impact of timing differences on the firm's reported cash position.
These large, periodic swings in working capital suggest that the company's cash flow is highly sensitive to the timing of insurance premiums and administrative fee settlements. Analysts should be cautious in extrapolating short-term cash flow improvements, as they may be driven by temporary balance sheet movements rather than operational efficiency.
Quick answers to the most common questions about buying VOYA stock.
Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) generated $1.29B in net cash from operating activities in 2025. This reflects the cash generated directly from core business operations.
Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) generated $1.29B 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.
Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) spent $0.0M 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, Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA) returned $219.0M to shareholders via cash dividends and spent $200.0M on share repurchases. This shows the company's commitment to returning capital to its equity investors.