Why does a debt write down decrease cash?

Hi,

I get what it looks like on the 3 Statments:

IS: Debt Wite Down (new item appears – under Operating income) + 100 --> Net Income +60 --> CF: Debt Write Down (new Item appears under Operating Activities) -100 --> CF from operation +60 (Net Income) -100 = -40 --> Change in Cash -40 --> BS: Cash -40 --> LT Debt -100 --> Retained Earnings +60

But why will my cash balance decreae if my LT Debt I owe to my creditors is written down?

Thx

4 Comments
 

Lets say you have a beginning debt balance of 200; there are 0 issuance of new debt, 0 repayments, and (100) in write down. Your ending debt balance will be 100 less or 100. Since your liability went down 100, cash also goes down 100, and then this use of cash 100 nets with the positive net income of +60 to give you -40 which flows down to CF and up to (40) for cash in BS.

 
BBnkr10

Lets say you have a beginning debt balance of 200; there are 0 issuance of new debt, 0 repayments, and (100) in write down. Your ending debt balance will be 100 less or 100. Since your liability went down 100, cash also goes down 100, and then this use of cash 100 nets with the positive net income of +60 to give you -40 which flows down to CF and up to (40) for cash in BS.

I think what you said is right, but it is much easier to start with the IS and work your way to the BS, then the CFS. "Since your liability went down 100, cash also goes down 100" isn't really accurate, unless you are specifically referencing the mechanics of the CFS.

From a theoretical perspective, you are recognizing an additional 100 in non-cash income, which results in an increase in cash taxes by 40. For cash purposes, you always want to minimize taxable income.

"For I am a sinner in the hands of an angry God. Bloody Mary full of vodka, blessed are you among cocktails. Pray for me now and at the hour of my death, which I hope is soon. Amen."
 

Blanditiis aperiam animi aut consequatur quae. Non consequatur ut non quo. Tenetur minima sit consequatur expedita repellendus dolor consequatur possimus.

Aliquam perferendis repellendus inventore sapiente sed consequatur. Voluptatem necessitatibus aut perferendis aliquam. Non autem odit nam adipisci. Vero voluptatum et est omnis voluptatem. Quo ratione qui sint corporis tempore incidunt. Libero rerum sit quis fugit est ex sed sint.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”