What is the primary purpose of an income statement?

The primary purpose of an income statement is to summarize revenues and expenses over a specific period of time, typically a fiscal quarter or year. This financial statement provides a comprehensive overview of a company's financial performance, allowing stakeholders to assess how much money the business has earned (revenues) and how much it has spent (expenses) during that period. The resulting figure, net income or loss, highlights the profitability of the business within that timeframe.

An income statement differs from other financial statements in that it focuses specifically on the company's operational performance rather than its financial position at a given moment or its cash flows. Understanding this helps stakeholders evaluate whether the business has been successful in generating profit relative to its costs over the reporting period, which is crucial for making informed decisions regarding the company's management, investment, and operational strategies.