What is Working Capital (WC)

This chapter aims to analyze the impact of working capital management on firm's profitability, considering economic downturn and boom periods. Analyzing Portuguese firms from 2006-2019 results show that cash conversion cycle, as well as days sales outstanding, days sales inventories, and days payment outstanding decreased after 2009 due to the international financial crisis. When the length of cash conversion cycle increases, firm return on assets also increases. This situation happens especially in recession periods, when sales decrease. Results also exhibit singularities across industries. In some sectors, the impact of working capital management in firm return is positive, while in industries with greater cash conversion periods, the impact is negative. The findings also reveal the impact of financial debt and economic growth on operational profitability. Managers need to focus on short-term financing practices to increase firm profits and create value.