Definition of Investing Activities
Investing activities often refers to the cash flows from investing activities, which is one of the three main sections of the statement of cash flows (or SCF or cash flow statement). In this section of the SCF the company lists its cash inflows and cash outflows resulting from the disposal or acquisition of the company's long-term assets that took place during the time indicated in the heading of the statement.
Examples of Investing Activities
When a company makes long-term investments in securities, acquires property, equipment, vehicles, or it expands its facilities, etc., it is assumed to be using or reducing the company's cash and cash equivalents. As a result, these investments and capital expenditures are reported as negative amounts in the cash flows from investing activities section of the SCF.
When a company sells any of its long-term investments or sells any of its property, plant and equipment, it is assumed to be providing or increasing the company's cash and cash equivalents. Therefore, the cash received from the sale of these long-term assets will be reported as positive amounts in the cash flows from investing activities section of the SCF.
