2007 annual report 41 snap-on 2019s long-term financing strategy is to maintain continuous access to the debt markets to accommodate its liquidity needs .see note 9 to the consolidated financial statements for further information on snap-on 2019s debt and credit facilities .the following discussion focuses on information included in the accompanying consolidated statements of cash flow .cash flow provided from operating activities was $ 231.1 million in 2007 , $ 203.4 million in 2006 , and $ 221.1 million in 2005 .depreciation expense was $ 53.5 million in 2007 , $ 48.5 million in 2006 and $ 49.5 million in 2005 .the increase in depreciation from 2006 levels primarily reflects the impact of higher levels of capital spending in 2006 and 2007 .capital expenditures were $ 61.9 million in 2007 , $ 50.5 million in 2006 and $ 40.1 million in 2005 .capital expenditures in all three years mainly reflect efficiency and cost-reduction capital investments , including the installation of new production equipment and machine tooling to enhance manufacturing and distribution operations , as well as ongoing replacements of manufacturing and distribution equipment .capital spending in 2006 and 2007 also included higher levels of spending to support the company 2019s strategic supply chain and other growth initiatives , including the expansion of the company 2019s manufacturing capabilities in lower-cost regions and emerging markets , and for the replacement and enhancement of its existing global enterprise resource planning ( erp ) management information system , which will continue over a period of several years .snap-on believes that its cash generated from operations , as well as the funds available from its credit facilities , will be sufficient to fund the company 2019s capital expenditure requirements in 2008 .amortization expense was $ 22.2 million in 2007 , $ 3.4 million in 2006 and $ 2.7 million in 2005 .the increase in 2007 amortization expense is primarily due to the amortization of intangibles from the november 2006 acquisition of business solutions .see note 6 to the consolidated financial statements for information on acquired intangible assets .snap-on has undertaken stock repurchases from time to time to offset dilution created by shares issued for employee and dealer stock purchase plans , stock options , and other corporate purposes , as well as to repurchase shares when the company believes market conditions are favorable .in 2007 , snap-on repurchased 1860000 shares of common stock for $ 94.4 million under its previously announced share repurchase programs .the cash used to repurchase shares of common stock was partially offset by $ 39.2 million of proceeds from stock purchase and option plan exercises and $ 6.0 million of related excess tax benefits .as of december 29 , 2007 , snap-on had remaining availability to repurchase up to an additional $ 116.8 million in common stock pursuant to the board of directors 2019 ( 201cboard 201d ) authorizations .the purchase of snap-on common stock is at the company 2019s discretion , subject to prevailing financial and market conditions .snap-on repurchased 2616618 shares of common stock for $ 109.8 million in 2006 and 912100 shares of common stock for $ 32.1 million in 2005 .snap-on believes that its cash generated from operations , as well as the funds available from its credit facilities , will be sufficient to fund the company 2019s share repurchases in 2008 .on october 3 , 2005 , snap-on repaid its $ 100 million , 10-year , 6.625% ( 6.625 % ) unsecured notes upon their maturity .the $ 100 million debt repayment was made with available cash on hand .snap-on has paid consecutive quarterly cash dividends , without interruption or reduction , since 1939 .cash dividends paid in 2007 , 2006 and 2005 totaled $ 64.8 million , $ 63.6 million and $ 57.8 million , respectively .on november 1 , 2007 , the company announced that its board increased the quarterly cash dividend by 11.1% ( 11.1 % ) to $ 0.30 per share ( $ 1.20 per share per year ) .at the beginning of fiscal 2006 , the company 2019s board increased the quarterly cash dividend by 8% ( 8 % ) to $ 0.27 per share ( $ 1.08 per share per year ) . .
[['', '2007', '2006', '2005'], ['cash dividends paid per common share', '$ 1.11', '$ 1.08', '$ 1.00'], ['cash dividends paid as a percent of prior-year retained earnings', '5.5% ( 5.5 % )', '5.6% ( 5.6 % )', '5.2% ( 5.2 % )']]
cash dividends paid as a percent of prior-year retained earnings 5.5% ( 5.5 % ) 5.6% ( 5.6 % ) 5.2% ( 5.2 % ) snap-on believes that its cash generated from operations , as well as the funds available from its credit facilities , will be sufficient to pay dividends in 2008 .off-balance sheet arrangements except as set forth below in the section labeled 201ccontractual obligations and commitments , 201d the company had no off- balance sheet arrangements as of december 29 , 2007. .

Question: what was the average cash flow provided from operating activities from 2005 to to 2007 $ 231.1 million in 2007 , $ 203.4 million in 2006 , and $ 221.1 million in 2005 .
Answer: 145.97