How do gains differ from revenues? Select one:
a. Revenues stem from delivering or producing goods or rendering services while gains stem from events other than those resulting from revenues or investments by owners.
b. Gains stem from an increase in equity of a firm while revenues stem only from an increase in assets.
c. Gains and revenues are both period of time elements.
d. Both A and B are true.
e. Both A and C are true.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is a. Revenues stem from delivering or producing goods or rendering services while gains stem from events other than those resulting from revenues or investments by owners.
Revenues and gains both increase a company’s equity, but they arise from different types of activities. Revenues are generated through the main activities of a business, such as providing goods or services. For instance, when a company sells products or offers services to customers, the income generated from these transactions is classified as revenue. This is often referred to as “operating income” because it arises directly from the company’s core operations.
On the other hand, gains result from secondary or incidental events that are not part of the company’s primary business operations. Examples of gains include selling an asset for more than its book value or receiving compensation from a lawsuit. These events do not reflect the company’s regular operational activities but still increase the company’s equity. Gains can be one-time or irregular, unlike revenues, which are typically ongoing and central to the business’s purpose.
The distinction between revenues and gains is important for financial reporting and analysis. Revenues are used to evaluate the performance of a company’s operations, whereas gains can offer insights into the impact of non-operational events or decisions. While both contribute to the company’s overall profitability, they come from different sources and serve different roles in the company’s financial statements.
In summary, revenues are directly tied to a company’s core activities, while gains come from more incidental, non-operating events. Understanding this difference helps in assessing a company’s financial health and operational efficiency more accurately.