scatÂ·terÂ·plot. n. A graph showing data for two or more variables as coordinates in a Cartesian system of two or more axes, often appearing as scattered or clustered dots. Also called scatter diagram, scattergram. 1  Facebook.
What is 'Free Cash Flow - FCF' Free cash flow (FCF) is a measure of a company's financial performance, calculated as operating cash flow minus capital expenditures. FCF represents the cash that a company is able to generate after spending the money required to maintain or expand its asset base.
So, cash earned is clearly a better measure of business performance than earnings. Free cash flow is a step better, as it subtracts out the costs the company must pay to keep the business operating (such as equipment repairs, computer replacements, etc).