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 .
what was the change as a percent of sales in operating cash flow between 2016 and 2018?
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. .