Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our ability to fund our future capital needs will be affected by our ongoing ability to generate cash from operations and may be affected by our access to capital markets, money markets, or other sources of funding, as well as the capacity and terms of our financing arrangements. We believe that cash generated from operations and, to the extent necessary, these other sources of potential funding will be sufficient to meet our anticipated capital needs for the foreseeable future. We may use excess cash to purchase a portion of our common shares pursuant to our authorized share repurchase program, to acquire strategic businesses or product lines, to pay dividends on our common shares, or to reduce our outstanding debt. The cost or availability of future funding may be impacted by financial market conditions. We will continue to monitor financial markets and respond as necessary to changing conditions. We believe that we have sufficient financial resources and liquidity which will enable us to meet our ongoing working capital and other cash flow needs.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
In the first nine months of fiscal 2023, net cash provided by operating activities increased $470 million to $1,994 million from $1,524 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2022. The increase resulted primarily from the impact of changes in working capital levels, partially offset by lower pre-tax income. The amount of income taxes paid, net of refunds, during the first nine months of fiscal 2023 and 2022 was $354 million and $326 million, respectively.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Capital expenditures were $538 million and $556 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2023 and 2022, respectively. We expect fiscal 2023 capital spending levels to be approximately 5% of net sales. We believe our capital funding levels are adequate to support new programs, and we continue to invest in our manufacturing infrastructure to further enhance productivity and manufacturing capabilities.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2023, we received net cash proceeds of $48 million related to the sale of three businesses. We received net cash proceeds of $16 million related to the sale of two businesses during the first nine months of fiscal 2022. See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2023, we acquired one business for a cash purchase price of $108 million, net of cash acquired. We acquired two businesses for a combined cash purchase price of $141 million, net of cash acquired, during the first nine months of fiscal 2022. See Note 3 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding acquisitions.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities and Capitalization
Total debt at both June 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 was $4,206 million. See Note 7 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding debt.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2023, Tyco Electronics Group S.A. (“TEGSA”), our wholly-owned subsidiary, issued $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.50% senior notes due in February 2026. The notes are TEGSA’s unsecured senior obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all existing and any future senior indebtedness of TEGSA and senior to any subordinated indebtedness that TEGSA may incur.
During the first nine months of fiscal 2023, TEGSA repaid, at maturity, €550 million of 1.10% senior notes due in March 2023.
As of June 30, 2023, TEGSA had $288 million of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted-average interest rate of 5.3%. TEGSA had $370 million of commercial paper outstanding at a weighted-average interest rate of 3.45% at September 30, 2022.
TEGSA has a five-year unsecured senior revolving credit facility (“Credit Facility”) with a maturity date of June 2026 and total commitments of $1.5 billion. TEGSA had no borrowings under the Credit Facility at June 30, 2023 or September 30, 2022.