Profit Warning

Dictionary Says

Definition of 'Profit Warning'

When a company advises its earnings will not meet analyst expectations. The profit warning is made prior to the public announcement of the company's earnings.
Investopedia Says

Investopedia explains 'Profit Warning'

A profit warning is usually done two or more weeks before an earnings announcement. Companies do this to soften the blow to investors. This gives the investors and the market more time to adjust accordingly before the public release, ideally taking some of the sting out of the expected price adjustment. If no profit warning is released, the earnings announcement is called a negative earnings surprise.

Related Definitions

  • Profit Taking

    The action of selling stock to cash in on a sharp rise. This action pushes prices down temporarily. When traders are profit taking, the implication is that there is an upward trend in ...
    Read More »
  • Street Expectation

    The average earnings estimates made by brokers and securities analysts. Also known as the "market consensus" or "earnings expectations".
    Read More »
  • Gross Profit

    A company's revenue minus its cost of goods sold. Gross profit is a company's residual profit after selling a product or service and deducting the cost associated with its production and ...
    Read More »
    • Gross Earnings

      1. For individuals, the total income earned in a year, as calculated prior to any tax deductions or adjustments.2. For public companies, gross earnings is an accounting convention, ...
      Read More »
    • Analyst Expectation

      A report issued by an individual analyst, investment bank or financial services company indicating how a particular company's stock will perform in the coming quarter. Analysts provide ...
      Read More »
    • Price-Earnings Ratio - P/E Ratio

      A valuation ratio of a company's current share price compared to its per-share earnings.Calculated as: Market Value per ShareEarnings per Share (EPS)For example, if a company is ...
      Read More »
    • Earnings

      The amount of profit that a company produces during a specific period, which is usually defined as a quarter (three calendar months) or a year. Earnings typically refer to after-tax net ...
      Read More »
    • Earnings Surprise

      When the earnings reported in a company's quarterly or annual report are above or below analysts' earnings estimates.
      Read More »

Articles Of Interest

Partner Links