Porter’s Five Forces is one of the most useful business models investors need to learn.

Porterโ€™s Five Forces is a business strategy framework developed by Michael E. Porter, a Harvard Business School professor. It is a valuable model for understanding the competitive landscape within an industry. It can also help to discover the big wide MOAT that surrounds and protects the castle. TABLE OF CONTENTS: What is Porter’s Five Forces?… Continue reading

One of the most important studies shows that less than 5% of companies make all the money.

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 purpose of the Stock Market and why it’s important for investors to know?

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. โ€œThe purpose of a stock exchange is to facilitate the exchange of securities between buyers and sellers,… Continue reading

What is the best way to use Common Size Analysis and how to work it out?

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 is the important variances between cash flow and profit and why investors need to know?

Whatโ€™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

The ultimate guide to Working Capital and the most important metrics you need to know.

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

A guide to understanding Cash Flow and why it is one of the most important areas to know.

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

Why is understanding the differences in Accounting Standards important?

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

What is the best way to read an Annual Report and how to make sense of it?

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

One of the most important areas for investors is to know how to connect financial statements.

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