The number of properties sold every month indicates that Thorne Co experiences seasonal trends in its business. There is an sign that property sales are at a low level in winter and increase as spring approaches. A proportion of any cash excess is consequently likely to be short-term in nature since some cash will be required when sales are at a low level. Even though net cash flow is predict to be positive in the January the month with the lowest level of property sales the negative opening cash balance indicates that there may be months prior to December when sales are even lower.

Short-term cash excesses should be invested with no risk of capital loss. This limitation signifies that appropriate investments include short-dated gilts, treasury bills, public authority bonds and certificates of deposit and bank deposits. When selecting between these instruments Thorne Co will consider the length of time the surplus is available for the size of the surplus (some instruments have minimum investment levels), the risk associated with each instrument, the yield offered and any penalties for early withdrawal. A small company similar to Thorne Co with an annual turnover slightly in excess of $1m per year is likely to find bank deposits the most convenient method for investing short-term cash surpluses.

Since the company seems to generate a cash excess of approximately $250000 per year the company must also consider how to invest this longer-term surplus. As a fresh company Thorne Co is likely to want to invest surplus funds in expanding its business but as a small company it is probable to find a few sources of funds other than bank debt and retained earnings.

There is so a need to guard against capital loss when investing cash that is intended to fund expansion at a later date. As the retail property market is extremely competitive investment opportunities must be selected with care and retained earnings must be invested on a short- to medium-term basis until an appropriate investment opportunity can be found.