NiSource Inc (NI) is a publicly traded company that operates in the utilities industry. As such, the company's financials are of great interest to investors and analysts alike. The income statement provides a snapshot of the company's financial performance over a specific period of time. It shows the revenue generated by the company, as well as the costs and expenses incurred in running its operations. From the income statement, we can determine important metrics such as gross profit and net income from stockholders.
EBIT, which stands for earnings before interest and taxes, is a measure of a company's profitability. It gives us an indication of how well the company is utilizing its resources to generate earnings. Similarly, EBITDA, which stands for earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, provides a clearer picture of the company's operating performance by excluding non-cash expenses. These metrics are often used by investors to assess the profitability and efficiency of the company. Gross profit, on the other hand, represents the difference between the revenue generated and the cost of goods sold. It measures the profitability of the company's core operations.
The balance sheet provides a snapshot of the company's financial position at a specific point in time. It lists the company's assets, liabilities, and stockholders' equity. Cash equivalents represent highly liquid investments that can be easily converted into cash. Net debt, on the other hand, is the difference between a company's total debt and its cash and cash equivalents. Stockholders' equity represents the residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting liabilities. Total assets and total liabilities provide a comprehensive view of the company's financial health and leverage.
Cash flow is a crucial aspect of a company's financials as it shows the inflow and outflow of cash during a specific period of time. It is divided into three categories: operating cash flow, investing cash flow, and financing cash flow. Operating cash flow represents the cash generated from the company's core operations. Investing cash flow represents the cash used for acquiring or disposing of long-term assets. Financing cash flow represents the cash flows from borrowing or repaying debt, as well as issuing or repurchasing equity. Free cash flow is another important metric that measures a company's ability to generate cash from its operations after accounting for capital expenditures. It is often used to evaluate a company's financial flexibility and its ability to invest in growth opportunities.