Inventory

What does it Mean? The raw materials, work-in-process goods and completely finished goods that are considered to be the portion of a business's assets that are ready or will be ready for sale. Inventory represents one of the most important assets that most businesses possess, because the turnover of inventory represents one of the primary sources of revenue generation and subsequent earnings for the company's shareholders/owners.
Investopedia Says... Possessing a high amount of inventory for long periods of time is not usually good for a business because of inventory storage, obsolescence and spoilage costs. However, possessing too little inventory isn't good either, because the business runs the risk of losing out on potential sales and potential market share as well.

Inventory management forecasts and strategies, such as a just-in-time inventory system, can help minimize inventory costs because goods are created or received as inventory only when needed.

Terms Related Links

Carrying Cost Of Inventory
Economic Order Quantity - EOQ
First In, First Out - FIFO
First In, Still Here - FISH
Highest In, First Out - HIFO
Inventory Turnover
Just In Time - JIT
Last In, First Out - LIFO
Periodic Inventory
Physical Asset

Terms Related Links
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What are the generally accepted accounting principles for inventory reserves?

Is an earnings surprise priced into the opening value by market makers?




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