Having an adequate cash flow is very important for a business’s operations. Without sufficient cash revenues, a company can struggle even in daily operations like buying new raw materials, paying suppliers and salaries to employees, and more. Cash also enables payouts like dividends for shareholders. Another significance of cash reserves is that they safeguard the company against potential issues like the departure of foreign institutional investors, insufficient liquidity, and increases in interest rates. There are several cash-rich companies in India that have strong cash flows. Such companies can be preferred by market traders and investors if their fundamentals are strong as well.

This article will discuss the top cash-rich companies in India, explain what the bank and cash balances of a company are, and the importance of free cash flow.

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Here are the top cash-rich companies in India, with their market capitalisation and cash from operating activities. The data for these companies is up to date until 2nd August 2024.

Let us look at these cash-rich companies in India in more detail.

Coal India Limited

This entity is primarily concerned with mining and production of coal. In addition, Coal India also runs coal washeries. Other sectors that are its consumers include steel, power, fertiliser, and cement sectors.

The business consistently remains free of debt and has a dividend yield of 4.86%. Its share price has a 5-year CAGR of 22%, along with a robust ROE of 51% during this period. The company also has a dividend payout of 42% and cash assets worth Rs. 1,476.70 crore.

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Tata Consultancy Services Limited

TCS is a part of the Tata Group, working in the domain of IT services, business solutions, and consulting. It has a vibrant history of over 50 years.

This company is also close to debt-free along with a return on equity of 47% over a span of three years. TCS also provides its shareholders with a dividend payout of 58% and has cash assets worth Rs. 6,599 crore.
 

Infosys Limited

This is the second-biggest IT company in the country in the technology, consulting, digital services, and outsourcing domains. It enables its clients to transform digitally.

Infosys has a robust three-year return on equity at 31%. In addition, it has a dividend payout of 73% with cash assets worth Rs. 8,191 crore.
 

ITC Limited

This firm is the biggest cigarette producer and seller domestically with business spread out in multiple segments like FMCG, paper and packaging, hotels, agri-business, etc.

The business has had a solid ROE for the last 3 years at 28%, with a dividend payout of 84%. In addition, ITC has cash assets worth Rs. 6,217.69 crore.
 

HCL Tech

HCL is a leader in the IT service sector. The company offers a broad array of services which include remote infrastructure management, IT solutions, BPO, R&D services, and more.

This company is also free of debt and the shareholders enjoy a dividend payout of 90%. HCL also has cash assets worth Rs. 7,629 crore.

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On a balance sheet, cash and cash equivalents are among the first listings in the section on current assets. Under this category, investments that can be swiftly liquidated to cash are included. This liquid cash is utilised by cash-rich companies in India to pay off their expenses and debts.

There are primarily three types of cash flows, which can be found in the cash flow statements of cash-rich companies in India. Cash flow can be classified into:

• Cash from operations

  This includes the cash that is generated from various business operations.

• Cash from investments

  This category includes cash generated from the investments that a company has. This includes selling or purchasing assets, loans, payments, mergers and acquisitions.

• Cash from financing

  This category of cash flows includes financing that a company receives from investors or banks, dividends, and more.

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A company’s cash flow, after subtracting operating cash flow expenses and maintenance of capital assets, is called the Free Cash Flow. This metric is used to measure the profits of a business. Free cash flow excludes non-cash expenses and is used by investors and analysts to understand the financial stability of a company.

When you want to invest in cash-rich companies in India, cash is only part of the assessment criteria. Other things to consider before investing in cash-rich companies in India include bottom and top-line growth, debt, margins, etc.

Cash-rich companies in India play a pivotal role in the economic landscape. Companies like Coal India Limited, Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys, ITC Limited, and HCL Tech exemplify the benefits of substantial cash reserves, including high return on equity and consistent dividend payouts. By maintaining robust cash flows and minimal debt, these companies not only secure their growth and sustainability but also present attractive investment opportunities for traders and investors.