Less than 5% of companies drive all market returns. Understanding the fact that less than 5% of companies are responsible for all returns above bonds is crucial for investors. Research by Hendrik Bessembinder reveals that 58% of stocks fail to outperform bonds, 38% beat bonds modestly, and just over 4% of stocks drive overall market… Continue reading
What is the Stock Market? It may seem unusual explaining the existence of the stock market. The intention is to outline the basics of the stock exchange to remind investors why they are participating. Wikipedia summarizes it well. “The purpose of a stock exchange is to facilitate the exchange of securities between buyers and sellers,… Continue reading
What is Common Size Analysis? Common Size analysis is an accounting method used to measure each line item on the financial statements as a percentage of a base or common figure. For example, Revenue is often used as the base figure on the income statement. This means that all the line items such as cost… Continue reading
What’s the Difference Between Cash Flow and Profit? In previous blogs, we’ve covered the Income Statement and Cash Flow Statement. It’s important for investors, especially those new to financial statements, to understand the differences between Cash Flow and Profit. While they are often used interchangeably, Cash Flow and profit are not the same. In a… Continue reading
Working Capital is the cash needed for a business to carry on operating and covering short-term obligations. Understanding a business’s Working Capital needs is a great way to measure the near-term liquidity and risk factors of a business to carry on day-to-day activities. It can provide investors insights into the operating efficiency of the business… Continue reading
Cash Flow is the movement (flow) of money that comes in and out of a business. Money that moves out (Spent) is known as Cash Outflows while money that moves in (Received) is known as Cash Inflows. Cash Flow is different to earnings as it is a real snapshot of when a business receives money… Continue reading
Accounting Standards are guidelines and rules governing how corporations prepare and present their financial statements. These Standards ensure companies use the appropriate procedures and principles in their accounting methods. Without Accounting Standards, companies could report, present, and adopt any accounting method they choose which would always showcase their financial position and operations in the best… Continue reading
An Annual Report is a mandatory corporate document that outlines, breaks down and reflects the company’s financial position and operational activities for the previous financial year. It gives shareholders an insight into the management actions and how the company is performing in line with the strategy set out by the leadership team. What is the… Continue reading
All three financial statements are connected although they appear and are represented independently. Investors need to understand how to link the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement together. By understanding the transactions and how one change flows through to other statements investors can gain greater insights into a company’s business model. With this… Continue reading
A Cash Flow Statement is the last of the three financial statements that records all the incoming and outgoing cash of the business. It connects the income statement and the balance sheet by showing how cash has flowed throughout the business. The Cash Flow Statement unlike the other statements is a record of the actual… Continue reading
