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Also known as: P&L, profit and loss, statement of operations

Income Statement

ConceptualFinanceDocuments

Definition

Income Statement: An income statement (P&L) shows a company's financial performance over a period—revenue, costs, and resulting profit or loss. It tracks whether the business makes money operationally. Key sections: revenue, cost of goods sold, gross profit, operating expenses, and net income.

Example Usage

Our P&L shows $1M revenue, $300K COGS, $700K gross profit, $900K opex, and ($200K) net loss. We're investing in growth.

Common Misconceptions

Profit means success. Startups often intentionally operate at a loss to invest in growth.
Revenue is the key number. Gross margin and net income matter; revenue without profitability path is dangerous.
Monthly P&L is enough. Understand trends over time; compare to budget and prior periods.

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