Don't be fooled by net profit alone; it can be misleading

Published: 20th Nov 2024

By: Value Research

Beyond the bottom line

Net profits might not always tell the full story of a company’s financial health. Using other profit measures, in addition, can give a clearer view of a company's true performance. We explain how in the next slides:

More than just net profit

A company reports different types of profits, like operating profit, profit before exceptional items and tax, and net profit. Each serves a unique purpose and gives insight into specific aspects of a company's finances.

Operating profit: The core indicator

Operating profit (or EBIT) reflects the company's core business performance. It is calculated by subtracting operational expenses from revenue. It is arrived at before accounting for other income, taxes and interest.

Most useful tools for investment

Profit before tax and exceptional items

It further takes into account the non-core activities. You calculate it by adding non-operating income (like interest on investments) to operating profit minus finance costs, before accounting for tax and rare, one-time costs or gains.

Net profit

Net profit is the final profit figure after considering all expenses, including exceptional items and taxes. It’s essential, but it can sometimes be skewed by large, one-time costs or gains, making it crucial to look beyond just this figure.

Why net profit can be misleading

Net profits can fluctuate due to exceptional items or taxes. This is why operating profit, and profit before exceptional items often reveal more about a company’s core strength and profitability.

Take the case of Bharti Airtel

In FY20, Bharti Airtel reported a massive net loss due to finance costs, and exceptional items. However, its operating profit revealed another picture. Check this in detail from our story. Click the link below.

Other Webstories

To find more such stories & Web-stories, visit our website