Cash Inflow vs Cash Outflow: What’s the Difference?
Cash inflow and cash outflow are terms used to describe the movement of cash into and out of a business. Cash inflow represents the cash a business receives, while cash outflow represents the cash a business pays out.
Cash inflow occurs when a business receives money from any source, including sales, investments, loans, or other sources. The primary source of cash inflow for most businesses is revenue from the sale of products or services. Other sources of cash inflow can include interest or 
dividends earned on investments, the sale of assets, or the receipt of loans.
Cash outflow occurs when a business pays out cash for any reason, such as purchasing inventory, paying salaries, buying equipment, or paying off debts. Cash outflow can be classified as either operating, investing, or financing activities.
Operating activities are the primary source of cash outflow for most businesses, and they involve the day-to-day operations of the business. Examples of operating activities that require cash outflow include paying for raw materials or inventory, salaries, rent, utilities, and other expenses.
Investing activities involve the purchase or sale of long-term assets, such as property, plant, and equipment, and can include acquisitions, 
investments, and research and development. Investing activities can require significant cash outflows.
Financing activities involve the borrowing or repayment of debt and the issuance or repurchase of equity. Financing activities can include the payment of dividends, the issuance of new stock, or the repayment of loans.
It is important for businesses to manage their cash inflow and cash outflow carefully to ensure that they have enough cash on hand to meet their obligations and to invest in future growth opportunities. A business with more cash inflow than outflow has positive cash flow and may be able to use the excess cash to invest in new projects or pay down debt. A business with more cash outflow than inflow has negative cash flow and may need to take steps to improve its financial situation, such as reducing expenses or increasing revenue.
In summary, cash inflow represents the cash a business receives, while cash outflow represents the cash a business pays out. By managing their cash inflow and outflow effectively, businesses can improve their financial position and invest in future growth opportunities.