RT Journal Article T1 The usefulness of operating cash flow for predicting business bankruptcy in medium-sized firms A1 Rodríguez Masero, Natividad A1 López-Manjón, Jesús D. K1 Business failure prediction K1 Operating cash flow K1 Spanish medium-sized firms K1 Accounting ratios AB AbstractPurpose – This paper proposes using operating cash flow (OCF) as an instrument to determine a firm’s likelihood of bankruptcy. It presents a new model capable of predicting business failure based on data derived from financial statements.Design/methodology/approach – In this study, logit analysis was employed because of its frequently-cited conceptual advantages relative to multiple discriminant analysis. Through the logistic regression, we identified an integrated function for several ratios, which is useful when assessing whether a firm can be classified as solvent or insolvent in the future. The sample consists of Spanish medium-sized enterprises (MEs) included in the SABI.Findings – We identified an integrated function for several ratios, including information derived from cash flow statements, which is useful when assessing whether a firm can be classified as solvent or insolvent in the future. The analysis suggests the usefulness of taking into account information provided by cash flow statements when making decisions regarding lending to firms and, also, in relation to the acceptable level of leverage that can be assumed by a firm.Originality/value – The model is capable of predicting the probability that a medium-sized firm might have financial problems three years before this occurs, increasing the capacity to take corrective measures. PB FECAP YR 2020 FD 2020 LK https://hdl.handle.net/10433/20339 UL https://hdl.handle.net/10433/20339 LA en NO Rodríguez-Masero, N., & López-Manjón, J. D. (2020). The Usefulness of Operating Cash Flow for Predicting Business Bankruptcy in Medium-Sized Firms. Review of Business Management, 22(4), 917–931. https://doi.org/10.7819/rbgn.v22i4.4079 NO Universidad Pablo de Olavide. Departamento de Economía Financiera y Contabilidad DS RIO RD May 9, 2026