What does a cash flow statement primarily indicate?

A cash flow statement primarily indicates the movement of cash receipts and payments. It is a financial report that provides insight into a company’s liquidity and cash management by detailing how cash enters and exits the business over a specific period. This document is crucial for stakeholders to understand how well a company generates cash to meet its obligations.

The cash flow statement is divided into three main sections: operating activities, investing activities, and financing activities. Each section shows the sources and uses of cash in those areas, highlighting how cash flows are generated from core operations, how investments are being financed, and how funding is acquired or repaid.

This focus on cash movement differs from the other options. For instance, total profits, while an important measure of a company’s performance, do not necessarily reflect cash flows since they can be impacted by non-cash accounting entries. Similarly, the number of employees and market share are metrics related to a company's operational and competitive standing but do not provide insights into cash management. Understanding cash flow is essential for assessing the viability of a business, making option B the correct choice.