LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Net cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities were $21,401 and $(7,482) in first quarter 2024 and 2023, respectively, a favorable increase of $28,883. The $28,883 increase in cash flows from operating activities from 2024 to 2023 principally reflects higher net earnings as discussed above and benefits from changes in working capital, primarily more favorable changes in accounts receivable and inventories during first quarter 2024 compared to first quarter 2023. The more favorable changes in accounts receivable also reflect changes in the Company’s payment terms for seasonal sales.
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities was $(20,002) in first quarter 2024 compared to $5,495 in first quarter 2023. Cash flows used in investing activities reflect $27,297 and $14,848 of purchases of available for sale securities during first quarter 2024 and 2023, respectively, and $12,655 and $25,874 of sales and maturities of available for sale securities during first quarter 2024 and 2023, respectively. First quarter 2024 and 2023 investing activities include capital expenditures of $4,494 and $5,049, respectively. The Company is evaluating a plant expansion, including both the addition and replacement of certain processing and packaging lines, to better meet its higher level of projected demand for certain products on a timelier and more cost effective basis. The Company believes that any plant expansion would take place over the next five years, but most of the actual expenditures would likely occur during the next three years. Company management believes that the total cost of this expansion, including new machinery, equipment and food processing infrastructure, will approximate $70,000 to $80,000. All capital expenditures have been and are expected to be funded from the Company’s cash flow from operations and internal sources including available for sale securities.
The Company’s consolidated financial statements include bank borrowings of $1,050 and $1,060 at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, all of which relate to its Spanish subsidiary. The Company had no other outstanding bank borrowings at March 31, 2024.
Financing activities include Company common stock purchases and retirements of $0 and $1,604 in first quarter 2024 and 2023, respectively. Cash dividends of $12,491 and $12,291 were paid in first quarter 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The Company’s current ratio (current assets divided by current liabilities) was 3.8 to 1 at March 31, 2024 compared to 3.6 to 1 at December 31, 2023 and 3.9 to 1 at March 31, 2023. Net working capital was $241,272 at March 31, 2024 compared to $245,763 and $227,168 at December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. Included in net working capital is cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments totaling $159,361 at March 31, 2024 compared to $171,422 and $123,872 at December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. In addition, long term investments, principally debt securities comprising corporate bonds, were $278,953 at March 31, 2024, as compared to $255,606 and $252,888 at December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. Aggregate cash and cash equivalents and short and long-term investments were $438,314, $427,028, and $376,760, at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively, including $95,957, $87,800, and $76,039 at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively, relating to trading securities which are used as an economic hedge for the Company’s deferred compensation liabilities.
Investments in available for sale securities, primarily high quality corporate bonds, that matured during first quarter 2024 and 2023 were generally used in working capital or were replaced with debt securities of similar maturities. The net unrealized loss on available for sale investments was approximately $2,200 and $6,900 at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, which principally reflects the increase in market interest rates since such securities were purchased. The Company expects to hold most of these securities to maturity and therefore does not expect to ultimately realize a substantial portion of the aforementioned unrealized losses (see also Item 3 below, QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK).
The Company periodically contributes to a VEBA trust, managed and controlled by the Company, to fund the estimated future costs of certain employee health, welfare and other benefits. The Company added $20,000 in additional funding to the VEBA trust in 2023. No contribution was made during first quarter 2024. The Company is using these VEBA funds to pay the actual cost of such benefits through part or all of 2027. The VEBA trust held $19,258, $19,126 and $3,917 of aggregate cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2024, December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2023, respectively. This asset value is included in prepaid expenses and long-term other assets in the