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Profit and Loss Statement - P&L

 
Investment Dictionary: Profit and Loss Statement - P&L

A financial statement that summarizes the revenues, costs and expenses incurred during a specific period of time - usually a fiscal quarter or year. These records provide information that shows the ability of a company to generate profit by increasing revenue and reducing costs. The P&L statement is also known as a "statement of profit and loss", an "income statement" or an "income and expense statement".

Investopedia Says:
The statement of profit and loss follows a general format that begins with an entry for revenue and subtracts from revenue the costs of running the business, including cost of goods sold, operating expenses, tax expense and interest expense. The bottom line (literally and figuratively) is net income (profit).

The balance sheet, income statement and statement of cash flows are the most important financial statements produced by a company. While each is important in its own right, they are meant to be analyzed together.

Related Links:
Learn how to use revenue and expenses, among other factors, to break down and analyze a company. Understanding The Income Statement
Learn this easy-to-understand technique of analyzing a company's financial statements and reports. Introduction To Fundamental Analysis
Learn what it means to do your homework on a company's performance and reporting practices before investing. Advanced Financial Statement Analysis


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Financial & Investment Dictionary: Profit and Loss Statement (P & L)
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Summary of the revenues, costs, and expenses of a company during an accounting period; also called Income Statement operating statement, statement of profit and loss, income and expense statement. Together with the Balance Sheet as of the end of the accounting period, it constitutes a company's financial statement. See also Cost of Goods Sold; Net Income; Net Sales.

Business Dictionary: Profit and Loss Statement (P&L)
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Summary of the revenues, costs, and expenses of a company during an accounting period; also called Income Statement, operating statement, statement of profit and loss, income and expense statement.

 
 

 

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Investment Dictionary. Copyright ©2000, Investopedia.com - Owned and Operated by Investopedia Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Financial & Investment Dictionary. Dictionary of Finance and Investment Terms. Copyright © 2006 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more
Business Dictionary. Dictionary of Business Terms. Copyright © 2000 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.  Read more