The comparative cash flow statements from Sears and Wal-Mart are presented above. Amounts presented are in millions. Review both statements considering what you've learned in this chapter about the cash flow statement. Answer the following questions: When analyzing a company's cash flow statement, which section of the statement (operating, investing or financing) do you believe is the best predictor of a company's future profitability? Why? Which company do you believe is healthier based on the cash flow statements presented? Provide at least two specific examples from the statements. Your initial post is due four (4) days prior to the discussion due date or points will be deducted from your discussion score. Please review the discussion board requirements above.

The complete question is attached.

Sears Holding Corporation and Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

1. The section of the cash flow statement that is the best predictor of a company's future profitability is the Operating Activities Section.  The reason is that the operating activities section shows the net cash from operating activities or the core business activities of the entity.  A business entity's profitability is not determined by subsidiary activities like financing and investing activities.  But it is ascertained by reviewing its operating activities which also define the mission of the business and show the strategies it can deploy to attain its goals.

2. Walmart Stores, Inc. is by far healthier than Sears Holdings Corporation, at least based on the January 30, 2016 statements of cash flows.  For instance, Walmart Stores recorded a Net Cash Flow from operations in the sum of $27,389 million while Sears recorded a negative Net Cash Flow from operations in the sum of $2,167 million.  Again, from the operating activities sections, one can see that Walmart Stores, Inc. was able to make a net income before adjustments of $15,080 million, whereas Sears Holding Corporation performed abysmally poor by incurring a net loss of $1,128 million.

Explanation:

The Sears and Walmart's statements of cash flows are one of the three main financial statements prepared and presented by Sears Holding Corporation or Walmart Stores, Inc. to its stockholders and the general public to show financial information about its activities.  Specifically, the statements of cash flows for Sears and Walmart show the flow of cash under three main activity headings: operating, financing, and investing.  

Two methods can be used by Sears and Walmart to prepare the statement.  They include the indirect method, which starts from the net income, and the direct method, which shows the cash inflows and outflows for each cash flow item for Sears and Walmart.