Tilinpäätöslukeminen

Tilinpäätöslukeminen, often translated as financial statement analysis, refers to the process of examining a company's financial statements to understand its financial health, performance, and future prospects. This analysis typically involves reviewing key financial documents such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. Analysts use various techniques and ratios to interpret the data presented in these statements.

The balance sheet provides a snapshot of a company's assets, liabilities, and equity at a specific point in time. The income statement, also known as the profit and loss statement, shows a company's revenues, expenses, and profits over a period. The cash flow statement details the movement of cash into and out of the company from its operating, investing, and financing activities.

Key tools in tilinpäätöslukeminen include financial ratios, which compare different line items within the financial statements. Examples include liquidity ratios (e.g., current ratio) to assess short-term solvency, profitability ratios (e.g., net profit margin) to measure earnings generation, and leverage ratios (e.g., debt-to-equity ratio) to evaluate financial risk. Trend analysis, comparing financial data over several periods, and common-size analysis, expressing financial items as percentages of a base figure, are also common methods.

The purpose of tilinpäätöslukeminen is multifaceted. Investors use it to make informed decisions about buying or selling stock. Creditors analyze financial statements to assess a company's ability to repay loans. Management uses it for internal decision-making, performance evaluation, and strategic planning. Understanding a company's financial position through careful reading of its financial statements is crucial for stakeholders.