lululemon athletica inc.

Our primary sources of liquidity are our current balances of cash and cash equivalents, cash flows from operations, and capacity under our committed revolving credit facility, including to fund short-term working capital requirements. Our primary cash needs are capital expenditures for opening new stores and remodeling or relocating existing stores, investing in our distribution centers, investing in technology and making system enhancements, funding working capital requirements, and making other strategic capital investments. We may also use cash to repurchase shares of our common stock. Cash and cash equivalents in excess of our needs are held in interest bearing accounts with financial institutions, as well as in money market funds and term deposits.

The following table summarizes our net cash flows provided by and used in operating, investing, and financing activities for the periods indicated:

Operating Activities

Net income increased $264.4 million. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily as a result of a decrease in cash flows from changes in operating assets and liabilities of $251.1 million, primarily driven by changes in accounts payable, inventories, accrued compensation, and other assets, partially offset by changes in income taxes and accrued liabilities. The decrease in cash provided by operating activities was also a result of changes in impairment and other charges recognized in relation to lululemon Studio in 2023, and lower cash inflows related to derivatives, partially offset by increased deferred incomes taxes and depreciation.

Investing Activities

The increase in cash used in investing activities was primarily due to the acquisition of the lululemon branded retail locations and operations run by a third party in Mexico. Please refer to Note 6. Acquisition included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further information. The increase in cash used in investing activities was also due to increased capital expenditures primarily due to an increase in supply chain infrastructure, company-operated stores expenditures, and system initiatives, partially offset by a decrease in corporate infrastructure capital expenditures. The increase in cash used in investing activities was partially offset by the settlement of net investment hedges.

Financing Activities

The increase in cash used in financing activities was primarily the result of an increase in our stock repurchases. During 2024, we repurchased 5.1 million shares at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $1.6 billion. During 2023, we repurchased 1.5 million shares at a total cost including commissions and excise taxes of $558.7 million. The common stock was repurchased in the open market at prevailing market prices, including under plans complying with the provisions of Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, with the timing and actual number of shares repurchased depending upon market conditions, eligibility to trade, and other factors.