24 | 2018 emerson annual report 2017 vs .2016 2013 commercial & residential solutions sales were $ 5.9 billion in 2017 , an increase of $ 302 million , or 5 percent , reflecting favorable conditions in hvac and refrigeration markets in the u.s. , asia and europe , as well as u.s .and asian construction markets .underlying sales increased 5 percent ( $ 297 million ) on 6 percent higher volume , partially offset by 1 percent lower price .foreign currency translation deducted $ 20 million and acquisitions added $ 25 million .climate technologies sales were $ 4.2 billion in 2017 , an increase of $ 268 million , or 7 percent .global air conditioning sales were solid , led by strength in the u.s .and asia and robust growth in china partially due to easier comparisons , while sales were up modestly in europe and declined moderately in middle east/africa .global refrigeration sales were strong , reflecting robust growth in china on increased adoption of energy- efficient solutions and slight growth in the u.s .sensors and solutions had strong growth , while temperature controls was up modestly .tools & home products sales were $ 1.6 billion in 2017 , up $ 34 million compared to the prior year .professional tools had strong growth on favorable demand from oil and gas customers and in other construction-related markets .wet/dry vacuums sales were up moderately as favorable conditions continued in u.s .construction markets .food waste disposers increased slightly , while the storage business declined moderately .overall , underlying sales increased 3 percent in the u.s. , 4 percent in europe and 17 percent in asia ( china up 27 percent ) .sales increased 3 percent in latin america and 4 percent in canada , while sales decreased 5 percent in middle east/africa .earnings were $ 1.4 billion , an increase of $ 72 million driven by climate technologies , while margin was flat .increased volume and resulting leverage , savings from cost reduction actions , and lower customer accommodation costs of $ 16 million were largely offset by higher materials costs , lower price and unfavorable product mix .financial position , capital resources and liquidity the company continues to generate substantial cash from operations and has the resources available to reinvest for growth in existing businesses , pursue strategic acquisitions and manage its capital structure on a short- and long-term basis .cash flow from continuing operations ( dollars in millions ) 2016 2017 2018 .
[['( dollars in millions )', '2016', '2017', '2018'], ['operating cash flow', '$ 2499', '2690', '2892'], ['percent of sales', '17.2% ( 17.2 % )', '17.6% ( 17.6 % )', '16.6% ( 16.6 % )'], ['capital expenditures', '$ 447', '476', '617'], ['percent of sales', '3.1% ( 3.1 % )', '3.1% ( 3.1 % )', '3.5% ( 3.5 % )'], ['free cash flow ( operating cash flow less capital expenditures )', '$ 2052', '2214', '2275'], ['percent of sales', '14.1% ( 14.1 % )', '14.5% ( 14.5 % )', '13.1% ( 13.1 % )'], ['operating working capital', '$ 755', '1007', '985'], ['percent of sales', '5.2% ( 5.2 % )', '6.6% ( 6.6 % )', '5.7% ( 5.7 % )']]
operating cash flow from continuing operations for 2018 was $ 2.9 billion , a $ 202 million , or 8 percent increase compared with 2017 , primarily due to higher earnings , partially offset by an increase in working capital investment to support higher levels of sales activity and income taxes paid on the residential storage divestiture .operating cash flow from continuing operations of $ 2.7 billion in 2017 increased 8 percent compared to $ 2.5 billion in 2016 , reflecting higher earnings and favorable changes in working capital .at september 30 , 2018 , operating working capital as a percent of sales was 5.7 percent compared with 6.6 percent in 2017 and 5.2 percent in 2016 .the increase in 2017 was due to higher levels of working capital in the acquired valves & controls business .operating cash flow from continuing operations funded capital expenditures of $ 617 million , dividends of $ 1.2 billion , and common stock purchases of $ 1.0 billion .in 2018 , the company repatriated $ 1.4 billion of cash held by non-u.s .subsidiaries , which was part of the company 2019s previously announced plans .these funds along with increased short-term borrowings and divestiture proceeds supported acquisitions of $ 2.2 billion .contributions to pension plans were $ 61 million in 2018 , $ 45 million in 2017 and $ 66 million in 2016 .capital expenditures related to continuing operations were $ 617 million , $ 476 million and $ 447 million in 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively .free cash flow from continuing operations ( operating cash flow less capital expenditures ) was $ 2.3 billion in 2018 , up 3 percent .free cash flow was $ 2.2 billion in 2017 , compared with $ 2.1 billion in 2016 .the company is targeting capital spending of approximately $ 650 million in 2019 .net cash paid in connection with acquisitions was $ 2.2 billion , $ 3.0 billion and $ 132 million in 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively .proceeds from divestitures not classified as discontinued operations were $ 201 million and $ 39 million in 2018 and 2017 , respectively .dividends were $ 1.2 billion ( $ 1.94 per share ) in 2018 , compared with $ 1.2 billion ( $ 1.92 per share ) in 2017 and $ 1.2 billion ( $ 1.90 per share ) in 2016 .in november 2018 , the board of directors voted to increase the quarterly cash dividend 1 percent , to an annualized rate of $ 1.96 per share .purchases of emerson common stock totaled $ 1.0 billion , $ 400 million and $ 601 million in 2018 , 2017 and 2016 , respectively , at average per share prices of $ 66.25 , $ 60.51 and $ 48.11 .the board of directors authorized the purchase of up to 70 million common shares in november 2015 , and 41.8 million shares remain available for purchase under this authorization .the company purchased 15.1 million shares in 2018 , 6.6 million shares in 2017 , and 12.5 million shares in 2016 under this authorization and the remainder of the may 2013 authorization. .

Question: what was the change as a percent of sales in operating cash flow between 2016 and 2018?
Answer: -0.6%