Definition
Also referred as sales, revenue is income that a company receives from its normal business activities, usually from the sale of goods and services to customers. Revenue is often referred to as the "top line" due to its position on the income statement at the very top.
Explanation
In ranking the predictability, companies with more consistent revenue and earnings growth are ranked high with predictability.
Peter Lynch categorized companies according to their revenue growth:
Slow Grower: Inflation < 10-Year Revenue Growth Rate < 10%:
Stalwart: 10% < 10-Year Revenue Growth Rate < 20%:
Fast Grower: 10-Year Revenue Growth Rate > 20%:
His favorite companies are stalwart, those growing between 10-20% a year.
Companies in cyclical industries may see their revenue fluctuate wildly in good years and bad years.
Beaware
Revenue can be manipulated by changing the way how revenue is booked. Companies may book sales before the payment is received, or before the revenue is fully earned. These will be added to balance sheet items such as account payable or account receivables.
Related Terms
Cost of Goods Sold,
Operating Income,
Pre-Tax Income,
Net Income* All numbers are in millions except for per share dataBroadSoft, Inc. Annual Data
| Dec08 | Dec09 | Dec10 | Dec11 | Dec12 |
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| Revenue |  | | | | |
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BroadSoft, Inc. Quarterly Data
| Dec10 | Mar11 | Jun11 | Sep11 | Dec11 | Mar12 | Jun12 | Sep12 | Dec12 | Mar13 |
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| Revenue | | | | | | | | | | |
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European Shorting
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