Gross, Operating, and Net Profit

Gross, Operating, and Net Profit

The first level of profitability is gross profit, which is sales minus the cost of goods sold. Sales are the first line item on the income statement, and the cost of goods sold (COGS) is generally listed just below it. For example, if Company A has $100,000 in sales and a COGS of $60,000, it means the gross profit is $40,000, or $100,000 minus $60,000. Divide gross profit by sales for the gross profit margin, which is 40%, or $40,000 divided by $100,000.

$\text{Gross Profit} = \text{Total Sales} - \text{COGs}$

Gross Profit=Total Sales−COGs



The second level of profitability is operating profit, which is calculated by deducting operating expenses from gross profit. Gross profit looks at profitability after direct expenses, and operating profit looks at profitability after operating expenses. These are things like selling, general, and administrative costs (SG&A). If Company A has $20,000 in operating expenses, the operating profit is $40,000 minus $20,000, equaling $20,000. Divide operating profit by sales for the operating profit margin, which is 20%.

$\begin{aligned} &\text{Operating Profit} = \text{Gross Profit} - \text{Operating Expenses}\\ &\text{Operating Profit Margin} = \frac{\text{Operating Profit}}{\text{Total Sales}} \end{aligned}$



The third level of profitably is net profit, which is the income left over after all expenses, including taxes and interest, have been paid. If interest is $5,000 and taxes are another $5,000, net profit is calculated by deducting both of these from operating profit. In the example of Company A, the answer is $20,000 minus $10,000, which equals $10,000. Divide net profit by sales for the net profit margin, which is 10%.

$\text{Net Profit} = \text{Operating Profit} - \text{Taxes \& Interest}$

Net Profit=Operating Profit−Taxes & Interest