The (total) net cash flow of a company over a period (typically a quarter or a full year) is equal to the change in cash balance over this period: positive if the cash balance increases (more cash becomes available), negative if the cash balance decreases. The total net cash flow is the sum of cash flows that are classified in three areas:

1. Aliran tunai operasi: Cash received or expended as a result of the company's internal business activities. It includes cash earnings plus changes to working capital. Over the medium term this must be net positive if the company is to remain solvent.
2. Aliran tunai pelaburan: Cash received from the sale of long-life assets, or spent onperbelanjaan modal (investments, acquisitions and long-life assets).
3. Aliran tunai kewangan: Cash received from the issue of debt and equity, or paid out as dividends, share repurchases or debt repayments.