Earnings call

An earnings call is a teleconference or webcast in which a public company discusses its financial results for a reporting period, often providing earnings guidance for future performance. The term stems from earnings per share (EPS), calculated as net income (the "bottom line" from the income statement) divided by shares outstanding. Earnings calls typically accompany a press release summarizing results and are often paired with mandatory filings under local securities laws. These calls are a key mechanism for companies worldwide to communicate financial health and strategy to investors, financial analysts, and stakeholders, with practices varying by region and regulatory framework.

In the United States, a 2014 survey by the National Investor Relations Institute (NIRI) found that 97% of its member companies conducted quarterly earnings calls, with most offering webcasts. Globally, listed companies on exchanges like the London Stock Exchange (LSE), Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE), or Shanghai Stock Exchange (SSE) also hold similar calls, though frequency and format differ.