Statement of cash flows
| Summary statement of cash flows / € million | 2024 | 2023 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| absolute | % | |||
| Cash flow from operating activities | 4,567 | 3,044 | +1,523 | +50.0 |
| Cash flow from investing activities | –7,757 | –7,380 | –377 | +5.1 |
| Cash flow from financing activities | 5,752 | 2,329 | +3,423 | +147 |
| Net change in cash and cash equivalents | 1,539 | –2,507 | +4,046 | – |
| Cash and cash equivalents as of Dec 31 | 4,170 | 2,631 | +1,539 | +58.5 |
- The significant increase in cash flow from operating activities was mainly due to the noticeably better profit development and positive working capital effects.
- The increase in cash outflow from investing activities resulted primarily from higher net capital expenditures (€ –2,193 million). In particular, the cash inflow in conjunction with the sale of DB Arriva (€ +1,225 million) and lower payments for capital expenditures in financial assets (€ +295 million), above all for the leasing of rail vehicles from contracting organizations as part of service concession agreements had a partially offsetting effect.
- The cash inflow from financing activities increased significantly:
- This was mainly due to the higher cash inflow from capital measures by the Federal Government related to the financing of capital expenditures in rail infrastructure (€ +4,375 million) and discontinuation of the dividend payment to the Federal Government (previous year: cash outflow of € 650 million). In addition, the net cash inflow from the taking out and redemption of financial loans (€ +274 million) increased above all as part of short-term Group financing.
- This was partially offset by the net cash outflow from the issue and redemption of senior bonds (€ –806 million). In the previous year, a net cash inflow was recorded here (€ +1,124 million).
- On balance, as of December 31, 2024, cash and cash equivalents increased significantly.