Investopedia

Baseline

Filed Under »
Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Baseline'

A benchmark that is used as a foundation for measuring or comparing current and past values. For example, a company wanting to measure the success of one of its product lines can use the number of units sold during the first year as a baseline from which to evaluate subsequent sales growth. In business, baselines and benchmarks serve a similar purpose.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Baseline'

A baseline is an initial value that can be used to compare past, current and projected future values. The baseline can be considered the starting point against which all future values are measured. In budgeting, the baseline is the point of reference for evaluating the budgetary effects of projected changes in revenues and spending.

Articles Of Interest

  1. What Are A Stock's "Fundamentals"?

    The investing world loves to talk about fundamentals, but do you know what it means?
  2. Introduction To Fundamental Analysis

    Learn this easy-to-understand technique of analyzing a company's financial statements and reports.
  3. What is a monopoly?

    Monopoly is a fun family game, but in real life, a monopoly can be dangerous to a country's economy. A monopoly occurs when an industry or sector has only one producer of goods or retailer for ...
  4. Weighted Average Cost Of Capital (WACC)

    Weighted average cost of capital may be hard to calculate, but it's a solid way to measure investment quality
  5. Capital Expenditures (CAPEX)

    Learn more about what it costs to produce goods.
  6. Working Capital

    Working capital is one of the basic metrics used to evaluate a company's financial health. Find out what it can tell you about a stock and learn how to calculate it.
  7. What is the difference between "hard money" and "soft money"?

    Hard money and soft money are terms that are often used to describe coin money and paper money, respectively. However, these terms are also used to refer to political contributions in the United ...
comments powered by Disqus
Marketplace
Hot Definitions
  1. Cost-Push Inflation

    A phenomenon in which the general price levels rise (inflation) due to increases in the cost of wages and raw materials.
  2. Happiness Economics

    The formal academic study of the relationship between individual satisfaction and economic issues, such as employment and wealth.
  3. Affluenza

    A social condition arising from the desire to be more wealthy, successful or to "keep up with the Joneses." Affluenza is symptomatic of a culture that holds up financial success as one of the highest achievements.
  4. Icarus Factor

    The term Icarus factor describes a situation where managers or executives initiate an overly ambitious project which then fails. Fueled by excitement for the project, the executives are unable to reign in their misguided enthusiasm before it is too late to avoid the failure.
  5. Angelina Jolie Stock Index

    An index made up of a selection of stocks from companies associated with actress Angela Jolie.
  6. Consequential Loss

    The amount of loss incurred as a result of being unable to use business property or equipment.
Trading Center