Which of the following is a key component of cash flow from operating activities?

Cash receipts from customers represent the inflows of cash received from selling goods or services, which is a primary aspect of a company's operating activities. Operating activities are the core functions of a business, focusing on the income generated from regular business operations. These cash flows are critical for determining the overall health and profitability of a company.

In contrast, cash outflows for new investments relate to capital expenditures and do not reflect everyday operational cash flow. Contributions from owners pertain to equity financing, which is not a part of operating activities. Proceeds from loans taken represent financing activities, where cash inflow comes from borrowing rather than from operations. All of these components play a role in cash management but only cash receipts from customers directly measure the effectiveness of a company's core operations.