How to read a company's financial reports

Today we will understand how to read a company's financial reports – even if you don't have an economics degree!

By the SpyStocks desk · 1y ago · 3 min read

Recovered from the holiday?! 🥛

Good morning, friends! ✨

It's time to get back on track after the holiday break because we're returning to the business arena – and for that, we've prepared a champions' "soft landing" for you! 🛫

It's time to level up as business people:

What is the most important thing for investors? 🚩

Financial reports! 🔝

Today we will understand how to read a company's financial reports – even if you don't have an economics degree! 🎓

Let's begin! ⚡️

📈 The quarterly report has arrived – and you don't understand anything?

Revenue, EBITDA, GAAP, Adjusted, profit line, diluted earnings… 😵

So here's everything you need to know that will definitely bring you the order you so desperately need! ✔️

🧠 First of all – why is it important?

Because the market reacts to reports!

And more importantly – a company's value is determined by its performance.

In simple words – whoever doesn't know how to read reports – invests with their eyes closed! 👨‍🦽

1️⃣ The first line – Revenue / Sales

How much money did the company actually bring in?! 📊

Note: Is there growth compared to the previous quarter or compared to last year? 🪧

Growth = ✔️ Decline = ⚠️

2️⃣ The truly important line – Net Income

This means – how much money is left after all expenses, taxes, and interest. 🔎

- Is the company making a profit or a loss? ⚪️

- Is there year-over-year improvement? ⚪️

And why is this so important? ❓

Sometimes high revenues are seen due to accounting tricks – but in reality – the company is actually losing money! ❌

3️⃣ Earnings per share – EPS How much profit (or loss) per share

The market loves positive surprises,

📊 If actual EPS is higher than expectations → the stock may rise.

🧨 If EPS is lower than forecasts - declines are on the way...

4️⃣ Cash Flow

This is not how much the company earned – but how much actual cash entered and left the business! 🤑

A company can "profit on paper" but collapse – because it doesn't have money to pay suppliers. 🛫

In the report – look for: 🔼 Positive operating cash flow 🔽 Negative cash flow over time = red flag

5️⃣ Forward guidance

Listen very carefully and also pay attention to the nuances of what the company says about the future! 🔮

For example - "we expect an additional $1.5 billion in revenue next quarter" - this is an important indication! ⚡️

Often the stock reacts to guidance – rather than current performance. 🔮

In summary! ✏️

🔍 You don't need to be an accountant to understand:

  • Are revenues growing? ❓
  • Is the company profitable? ❓
  • Does the company have positive cash flow? ❓
  • And what is the company's outlook for the future? ❓

And this is what truly matters – because ultimately, a stock is just a relative ownership certificate in a business. 💼

Don't buy stocks thinking you are "buying stocks"...

You are not buying stocks - you are buying businesses! 🛍

Learn to look at the inside – the report and guidance are the beating heart of the business! ❤️‍🔥

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