Note 21: Cash flow

Operating activities in 2018 resulted in a cash inflow of €162 million (2017: cash inflow of €278 million).

Changes in working capital per cash flow statement

In € millions

2017

2018

Trade and other receivables

(179)

(199)

Inventories

(139)

(49)

Trade and other payables

213

71

Total

(105)

(177)

Changes in provisions per cash flow statement

In € millions

2017

2018

Post-retirement provisions

(255)

(157)

Restructuring provisions

8

(4)

Environmental and sundry provisions

(91)

(42)

Total

(338)

(203)

The above amounts cannot be reconciled directly to the respective balance sheet positions. They reflect changes in balance sheet positions only to the extent they have a cash flow impact, such as utilization, or they reverse the non-cash impact as included in Profit for the period. These amounts exclude non-cash movements such as unwind of discount, movements through Other , acquisitions and divestments, and changes in exchange rates.

Comprehensive income

The change in equity during a period resulting from transactions and other events, other than those changes resulting from transactions with shareholders in their capacity as shareholders.