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Financial Performance: Meaning, How it Works, and Example

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What is Financial Performance?   

Think of financial performance as a measure of a firm’s asset utilisation, derived from its main business mode. This measurement is done to see how efficiently these assets are utilized to generate revenues. Financial performance can also be used to describe the overall financial health of a firm over a certain period. Financial performance helps analysts compare firms from the same sectors.

Understanding Financial Performance Detail 

Every company or corporation has many stakeholders like investors, creditors, employees etc. It is crucial for each of these stakeholders to constantly observe the financial performance of the company since it affects all of them. The main purpose of analysing the financial performance of a company is to gauge how efficiently a company manages its numerous assets and produces revenue.

One can measure the financial performance of a company through many methods. However, whenever the process is undertaken, it needs to be taken in aggregate. Specific aspects like the company’s operating income, revenue from operations and its cash flow need to be taken into account. Apart from this, analysts might want to dive deeper into the financial statements of the company as it will help them have a look at the margin growth rates.

 Additional Read: What is Demat Account: Importance, Features and Types

Recording Financial Performance 

When it comes to recording the financial performance of a company, one of the most important documents that analysts swear by is Form 10-K. Form 10-K is required to be filed and published annually as notified by the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC. The main purpose of publishing the document is to give all the stakeholders of the company access to the right information that gives them an insight into the financial health of the company.

Form 10-K also helps independent accountants audit the information on it, post which the company management signs it along with other disclosure documents. This makes the form one of the best sources of in-depth information regarding the financial performance of a company that investors have access to every year.

Every public company’s Form 10-K is accessible to the public and can be found on SEC's Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval database. All you have to do is search for it using the company’s name.

What are the Types of Financial Statements?  

There are different types of financial statements that analysts use to gauge the financial performance of a company. Let us have a look at them:

  • Balance Sheet  

Think of the balance sheet as an overview of a company’s financials on a particular date and how effectively it is managing its assets. The balance sheet provides information on the different kinds of debts a company might be in like both long-term and short-term debts. Apart from this, the balance sheet also gives analysts insight into the different kinds of assets the company holds and what percentage of those assets are financed through debts and capital provided by the stockholders.

  • Income Statement

The second type of financial statement is the income statement. The income statement is a concise list of all the operations of a company in a year. The statement starts with the revenues of the company and concludes with its net income. The income statement is also called the profit and loss statement as it also gives insight into the gross profit margin of the company along with the value of the goods sold, the net profit margin and the operating profit margin. To add to this, the income statement also provides details about the number of outstanding shares as well. 

  • Cash Flow Statement

The third type of financial statement is the cash flow statement which can be considered a combination of the income statement and the balance sheet. This combination is what makes the cash flow statement one of the most important statements for certain analysts. With the help of the cash flow statement, analysts can analyse how much a company spent on repurchasing stocks, dividends and even its capital expenditures. 

Why is Financial Performance Important for Investors   

Knowing the financial performance of a company is important for investors as it helps them gauge the overall financial well-being of a company. With such insights, investors can analyse whether or not the company is on the path towards growth as only if the company is growing and becoming profitable would it prove to be profitable for investors as well.

What are Financial Performance Indicators? 

Let us have a look at some of the most used financial performance indicators:

  1. Gross profit or gross profit margin: 

    • The gross profit indicates the revenue a company makes from sales 

    • This amount is obtained post subtracting production costs 

  2. Net profit or net profit margin: 

    • The net profit margin can be described as the revenue earned by the company from sales

    • In this context, the net profit is obtained after subtracting all business expenses and taxes

  3. Working capital: 

    • The working capital can be described as the funds that are readily available to aid the day-to-day operations of a company

  4. Operating cash flow: 

    • The revenue generated by the regular business operations of a company is called the operating cash flow

  5. Current ratio: 

    • The current ratio of a company is obtained by dividing the total assets by the company’s total liabilities. 

  6. Debt-to-equity ratio: 

    • When a company’s total liabilities are divided by its shareholder equity, the debt-to-equity ratio is obtained

  7. Quick ratio: 

    • The quick ratio is obtained by calculating the percentage of very liquid current assets against the company’s total liabilities

  8. Inventory turnover: 

    • The inventory turnover of a company provides insights into the quantity of inventory sold in a certain period

    • It also provides information on how often the entire inventory is sold out

  9. Return on equity: 

    • The return on equity can be obtained by dividing the net income by the shareholder equity 

What is Financial Performance Analysis? 

Here’s a look at everything you need to know about what financial performance analysis is all about.

  1. It is a process that helps assess a company’s financial statements. 

  2. This helps analysts get a better understanding of a company's business model. 

  3. The analysis also provides insights into the profitability or loss of a company’s operations, its spending, investments, etc.

  4. The financial performance analysis of a company also usually looks into the most recent fiscal quarter or year. 

  5. With the help of the three different types of financial statements i.e. the balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statement the performance analysis is conducted.

  6. The financial performance analysis of a company can include analysing its working capital, its financial structure, an analysis of the activities of the company and an analysis of its profitability. 

How Can a Company Improve Its Financial Performance  

If a company’s financial performance is not up to the mark, certain measures can be taken to rectify the same. Some of these measures are listed below: 

  • By keeping track of the company’s income and spending, companies can look into adjusting payment options and the prices of their products and services if necessary

  • Companies can also improve their financial performances by selling unused or unwanted assets

  • By restructuring the company budgets and reducing unnecessary expenses, the financial performance of a company can undoubtedly improve. 

  • Debt consolidation or refinancing of any current debts can also help in this aspect.

Additional Read: Call and Put Options: Meaning, Types & Examples

Conclusion 

The financial performance of a company plays a key role in helping provide its stakeholders with insights into the company’s profitability and potential for growth. The financial performance of a company is made public annually through Form K-10 and plays a major role in helping potential investors gain insight into the company’s true value.

Disclaimer: Investments in the securities market are subject to market risk, read all related documents carefully before investing.

This content is for educational purposes only. Securities quoted are exemplary and not recommendatory.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is financial performance meaning?

Answer Field

Financial performance can also be used to describe the overall financial health of a firm over a certain period. Financial performance helps analysts compare firms from the same sectors.

How does financial performance impact retail investors and the stock market?

Answer Field

The financial performance of a company helps investors gain insight into the profitability of a company. It also influences a company’s stock prices on the stock market. An unimpressive financial performance will lead to a fall in stock prices while an impressive one will make them rise.

How is financial performance measured?

Answer Field

The financial performance of a company is measured by taking into account aspects like how adequate the capital is for the company to function, its liquidity, the company’s efficiency in utilizing its assets and funds and its profitability.

What are key financial performance indicators (KPIs)?

Answer Field

Some of the main KPIs include liquidity, profitability, valuation and efficiency.

How do you improve financial performance?

Answer Field

The financial performance of a company can be improved by keeping track of the company’s income and spending, selling unused or unwanted assets, restructuring the company budgets and reducing unnecessary expenses and consolidating debts.

What is the difference between financial performance and financial position?

Answer Field

The financial performance of a company measures how well a company makes use of its resources to produce revenue. The financial position of a company on the other hand is an insight into the company’s assets, liabilities and equity.

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