Marketable securities can help a company manage which of the following?

Marketable securities play a crucial role in managing cash flow and liquidity for a company. These are financial instruments that can be quickly converted into cash, providing companies with the necessary liquidity to meet short-term obligations and operational expenses.

When a company holds marketable securities, it ensures that it has readily available funds to handle unforeseen expenses or investment opportunities without disrupting normal business operations. This can improve overall financial stability as it allows the company to efficiently manage its working capital.

In contrast, options related to asset depreciation schedules, dividend payments exclusively, or long-term capital expenditures do not align with the primary function of marketable securities. Depreciation relates to the allocation of an asset's cost over its useful life, dividends pertain to profit distribution to shareholders rather than liquidity management, and long-term capital expenditures involve significant investments in assets that cannot be quickly liquidated, which does not leverage the benefits of marketable securities. Thus, the focus on cash flow and liquidity accurately captures the essence of how marketable securities are utilized within a company's financial strategy.