Income Statement: A financial statement that shows a company's revenues, expenses, and profits (or losses) over a specific period of time.
An income statement, also known as a profit and loss statement, is a financial statement that shows a company's revenues, expenses, and profits (or losses) over a specific period of time. The purpose of an income statement is to provide an overview of a company's financial performance and profitability.
The income statement typically includes the following information:
- Revenues: This section shows the total revenue generated by the company during the period, typically from the sale of goods or services.
- Cost of Goods Sold: This section shows the direct costs associated with producing or delivering the goods or services that generated the revenue.
- Gross Profit: This section shows the difference between revenues and cost of goods sold, and represents the profit earned from the sale of goods or services before deducting operating expenses.
- Operating Expenses: This section shows the costs associated with running the company's day-to-day operations, such as rent, wages, utilities, and supplies.
- Operating Income: This section shows the profit earned from the company's operations, after deducting operating expenses.
- Non-Operating Income: This section shows any income earned by the company that is not related to its core business operations, such as investment income.
- Non-Operating Expenses: This section shows any expenses incurred by the company that are not related to its core business operations, such as interest expenses or losses from the sale of assets.
- Net Income: This section shows the profit earned by the company after deducting all expenses and taxes.
Overall, the income statement is an important tool for assessing a company's financial performance and profitability. By carefully analyzing the information presented on the income statement, investors, creditors, and other stakeholders can make informed decisions about investing, lending, or partnering with a company.