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 ) . .
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 .
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. .