What is capital expenditure primarily used for?

Capital expenditure refers to the funds used by an organization to acquire, upgrade, or maintain physical assets such as property, buildings, technology, or equipment. These expenditures are typically significant investments that help in enhancing the company's operational capability or increasing the value of its assets over time.

When an organization invests in capital assets, it is often aimed at increasing productivity, efficiency, or capacity for future growth. For example, purchasing new machinery to improve production efficiency or building a new office to accommodate a growing workforce both exemplify capital expenditures.

In contrast, daily operational expenses, such as rent, utilities, and employee bonuses, typically fall under operational expenditures. These are costs incurred in the regular functioning of the business and do not contribute to the long-term asset value in the same way that capital expenditures do. Therefore, the distinction between capital expenditure and operational expenditure is crucial in understanding the financial management of a company.