Decode Financial Reports in 7 Minutes

How to Read a Financial Statement in 7 Minutes

Author

Elvin Ng
November 18, 2025

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Reading a financial statement can seem daunting, but with the right approach, you can glean key insights quickly and efficiently.

In just seven minutes, you can assess the financial health of a company and make more informed investment decisions.

Here's how:

Minute 1: Start with the Big Picture

Begin with the Chairman’s or CEO’s Statement.

Focus on:

The first and last two paragraphs to understand the company’s recent performance and future outlook.

Look for mentions of strategic growth, challenges faced, and upcoming priorities.

What to Spot:

Positive Sign: Clear and optimistic plans for the future.

Red Flag: Overly vague or pessimistic language.

Minute 2: Check the Income Statement

This is where you’ll assess profitability.

Look for:

Net Profit: Is it rising or falling compared to the previous year?

Revenue (Sales): Is it increasing or stagnant?

Margins: Review gross and operating margins for efficiency.

What to Spot:

Positive Sign: Consistent revenue growth and improving margins.

Red Flag: Declining profits or dependency on one-off gains.

Minute 3: Analyze the Balance Sheet

The balance sheet reveals the company’s financial position.

Focus on:

Debt Levels: Is debt manageable relative to equity?

Cash Holdings: Is the company holding enough cash to cover short-term obligations?

Working Capital: Compare current assets to current liabilities.

What to Spot:

Positive Sign: Low debt, strong cash reserves, and positive working capital.

Red Flag: High short-term debt or negative working capital.

Minute 4: Examine the Cash Flow Statement

Cash flow is the lifeblood of any business.

Key items to review:

Operating Cash Flow: Is it positive, and does it align with net profit?

Cash Cycle: Are receivables or inventory growing faster than sales?

What to Spot:

Positive Sign: Positive and growing operating cash flow.

Red Flag: Negative operating cash flow without a clear explanation.

Minute 5: Look at Segmental Details

Most companies operate in multiple segments.

Check the notes to the financial statements for:

Segmental Revenue and Profitability: Are key segments growing?

Geographic Performance: Is growth aligned with regional economic conditions?

What to Spot:

Positive Sign: Growth across core segments.

Red Flag: Significant declines in key segments or geographic areas.

Minute 6: Review Dividend Trends

Dividends reveal how much of the profit is being shared with shareholders.

Look for:

Dividend Payout Ratio: Is it steady or increasing?

Alignment with Growth: Does the company balance reinvestment and shareholder rewards?

What to Spot:

Positive Sign: Steady or rising dividends with clear policies.

Red Flag: Dividend cuts without explanation.

Minute 7: Verify Audit Results

Finally, check the auditor’s opinion for any concerns:

Clean Opinion: Look for unqualified (clean) audit results.

Notes or Emphasis: Investigate any "emphasis of matter" paragraphs.

What to Spot:

Positive Sign: Clean audit with no qualifications.

Red Flag: Qualifications or concerns raised by auditors.

Bonus Tips

Use Ratios: Quickly calculate Return on Equity (ROE) and Debt-to-Equity for deeper insights.

Look Beyond the Numbers: Read management discussions to understand qualitative aspects.

Keep Context in Mind: Compare performance with industry peers and economic conditions.

By dedicating just one minute to each section, you can master the essentials of financial statements and make more confident decisions.

Remember, it’s not just about identifying red flags but also spotting opportunities and strengths that set a company apart.

Want to learn how to play the investing game better for free?

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And let’s level up our investing profits together with fellow like-minded investors.

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