EARNINGS REPORTS
Plain English
Every quarter, public companies release their 'report card' — the earnings report. It shows how much money they made, how they performed versus expectations, and what they expect going forward. Stocks can move dramatically on earnings.
Going deeper
Public companies report financial results quarterly (10-Q filings) and annually (10-K). Earnings season occurs roughly 2-6 weeks after each quarter ends. Key metrics reported include Revenue (top-line sales), Earnings Per Share (EPS), and Guidance (management's forward outlook). What matters most is whether results beat, meet, or miss analyst consensus estimates. A 'beat' doesn't always mean the stock goes up — the magnitude of the beat and forward guidance matter more. Earnings calls include management commentary and Q&A with analysts, often more important than the numbers themselves.
Examples
Beat and Raise
Analysts expected EPS of $1.50 and revenue of $10B. The company reports $1.75 EPS and $10.5B revenue (both beats) and raises next quarter's guidance above estimates. The stock jumps 8% after hours.
Beat but Drop
A company beats EPS estimates by $0.05 but lowers guidance for next year, citing slowing demand. Despite the 'beat,' the stock drops 12% because guidance signals future trouble. Forward-looking expectations matter more than past results.