There have been no material changes to the contractual and other cash requirements identified in the Company’s most recently issued Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Cash Flows
| | | | | | | |
| | Nine Months Ended | |
| | July 31, 2022 | | August 1, 2021 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | | $ | 418 | | $ | 4,314 | |
Net cash used for investing activities | | | (4,430) | | | (3,102) | |
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities | | | 515 | | | (851) | |
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | | | (143) | | | 106 | |
Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | | $ | (3,640) | | $ | 467 | |
Cash inflows from operating activities in the first nine months of 2022 were $418 million. This resulted mainly from net income adjusted for non-cash provisions, partially offset by a working capital change and a $1,000 million voluntary contribution to a U.S. OPEB plan. Cash outflows from investing activities were $4,430 million in the first nine months of 2022. The primary drivers were growth in the retail customer receivable portfolio; purchases of property and equipment; acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired; and a change in collateral on derivatives – net. Cash inflows from financing activities were $515 million in the first nine months of 2022, as higher external borrowings of $3,970 million were mainly offset by repurchases of common stock and dividends paid. Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash decreased $3,640 million during the first nine months of this year as the Company lowered its targeted cash balance, as previously noted.
Cash and Marketable Securities Held by Foreign Subsidiaries. The total cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities held by foreign subsidiaries was $2,713 million, $5,817 million, and $5,690 million at July 31, 2022, October 31, 2021, and August 1, 2021, respectively. During the first nine months of 2022, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries returned $4,460 million of cash and cash equivalents to the U.S.
Trade Accounts and Notes Receivable. Trade accounts and notes receivable primarily arise from sales of goods to dealers. Trade receivables increased $2,488 million during the first nine months of 2022, primarily due to a seasonal increase and higher overall demand, partially offset by the effect of foreign currency translation. These receivables increased $1,428 million, compared to a year ago, primarily due to higher overall demand partially offset by the effect of foreign currency translation. The percentage of total worldwide trade receivables outstanding for periods exceeding 12 months was 1 percent at July 31, 2022, 1 percent at October 31, 2021, and 2 percent at August 1, 2021.
Financing Receivables and Equipment on Operating Leases. These receivables and leases primarily consist of retail notes originated in connection with financing of new and used equipment, operating leases, revolving charge accounts, sales-type and direct financing leases, and wholesale notes. Financing receivables and equipment on operating leases increased $1,305 million during the first nine months of 2022 and increased $2,919 million in the past 12 months primarily due to higher equipment sales. Total acquisition volumes of financing receivables and equipment on operating leases were 2 percent higher in the first nine months of 2022, compared with the same period last year, as volumes of revolving charge accounts, retail notes, and operating leases were higher, while volumes of financing leases and wholesale notes were lower.
Inventories. Inventories increased by $2,340 million during the first nine months of 2022 and increased by $2,711 million compared to a year ago. The higher levels in both periods are due to increased overall demand and the impact of supply chain disruptions, partially offset by foreign currency translation.
Property and Equipment. Property and equipment cash expenditures in the first nine months of 2022 were $596 million, compared with $492 million in the same period last year. Capital expenditures in 2022 are estimated to be approximately $1,100 million.
Borrowings. Total external borrowings have changed generally corresponding with the level of the receivable and the lease portfolio, as well as the level of cash and cash equivalents.
John Deere Capital Corporation (Capital Corporation), a U.S. financial services subsidiary, has a revolving warehouse facility to utilize bank conduit facilities to securitize retail notes (see Note 9). The facility was renewed in November 2021 with an expiration in November 2022 and a reduction of the total capacity or “financing limit” from $2,000 million to $1,000 million. As a result of the reduced capacity, Capital Corporation repurchased $511 million of outstanding short-term securitization borrowings in November 2021, in addition to the normal payments collected on the retail notes. At July 31, 2022, $891 million of securitization borrowings was outstanding under the facility. At the end of the contractual revolving period, unless the banks and Capital Corporation agree to renew, Capital Corporation would liquidate the secured borrowings over time as payments on the retail notes are collected.