What Is Trailing 12 Months (TTM) in Small Business?

Author Donald Gianassi

Posted Apr 20, 2023

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Trailing 12 months TTM definition is an accounting analysis tool that small businesses can use to track their financial health. With TTM, businesses can calculate their financial performance over the previous 12 months, providing a snapshot of their up-to-date financial information. Understanding how TTM works is crucial for business owners who want to conduct comparative analysis and track business trends.

TTM analysis involves examining a company's historical data from the past 12 months and using this data to identify patterns and trends in its financial statements. By tracking these trends, businesses can assess their performance over time and identify areas where they need to improve. Additionally, TTM allows business owners to see how their company compares with others in the industry, which can be valuable for making informed decisions about future investments and growth strategies.

In this article, we'll dive deeper into what trailing 12 months TTM is and how small businesses can use it to gain a better understanding of their financial health. We'll explore the different ways businesses can calculate TTM, discuss why it's important to keep up-to-date financial information, and provide tips on how to conduct effective TTM analysis. Whether you're new to accounting or an experienced business owner looking for ways to improve your bottom line, understanding trailing 12 months TTM is essential for success.

Definition and Example of Trailing 12 Months (TTM)

What is Trailing 12 Months (TTM)? TTM refers to the previous 12 months of a business's financial statements, which is a useful tool for calculating small business financial information. The TTM analysis allows you to gather information about a business's financial health based on recent financial information rather than relying on previous calendar year financial information.

TTM is also known as Last Twelve Months (LTM), and it's an acronym that you may see frequently in finance reports or when analyzing a company's financials. For example, if today is August 1st, 2021, the trailing twelve months would be from August 1st, 2020 to July 31st, 2021.

As a business owner or investor, conducting a TTM analysis can be a convenient tool to assess your company's performance over the past 12 months. By examining income statements and balance sheets for the past year, you can track changes in revenue and expenses to get an idea of how your company is doing financially. In conclusion, understanding the concept of TTM analysis and knowing how to gather information from past financial statements can help small businesses make informed decisions about their future growth and success.

Comprehending the Concept of Trailing 12 Months or TTM

In the equity research space, seeking daily information on a company's financial statement is crucial. When analyzing a company's growth trajectory, analysts report earnings quarterly which can be a narrow view of a company's performance. Trailing 12 months (TTM) data provides a clear snapshot of the financial data over the prior term, and it is an essential tool for fundamental analysis.

Calculating TTM data involves adding up the last four quarters' revenue, balance sheet figures, income statements, and cash flows to create relevant measures. This technique helps eliminate seasonally adjusted noise that may affect stock prices and allows investors to get current data on how well the company is performing. For example, if we calculate TTM figures for share EPS and find a marked improvement in the most recent quarter compared to previous periods, it indicates that the company has made progress in their financial performance.

Fundamental analysis involves comparing financial ratios such as P/E ratio or ROE to identify undervalued stocks that are worth investing in for long-term gains. With TTM data, investors can calculate these ratios accurately and make informed investment decisions based on up-to-date information rather than relying on outdated quarterly reports. In conclusion, comprehending TTM is crucial for equity research analysts to gain insights into companies' performances over time and make informed investment decisions based on current financial data.

The Best Time to Apply TTM in Your Life

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The best time to apply TTM (trailing 12 months) analysis in your life is when you are trying to make informed decisions about a business's financial activity. By using this calculation, you can review a business's financial statements for the past 12 months, including cash flow statements, income statements, and balance sheets. Businesses rely on this type of financial review to analyze recent information and gain insights into their past performance. With ttm analysis, you can make better decisions based on the company's financial health and trends over time.

1. Recent Business Growth and Changes

Running a TTM analysis can benefit businesses that have experienced recent growth or changes. For instance, let's say a business held pretty steady revenue for the previous 12 months but then saw a significant influx in sales in the most recent quarter. Years statements won't include this increased sales data, making it an inaccurate analysis of the business's current state. Recent business growth giving up-to-date information is essential for a growing business to make informed decisions.

2. Getting Business Loans

When applying for a business loan, lenders will want to see your financial activity over the previous year. This is where the trailing 12 months (TTM) comes into play. By reviewing your financial statements for the past 12 months, you'll provide a full picture of your business's recent activity. Lenders want to know if your business experienced growth or if recent activity is falling, so they can determine the level of risk involved in lending to you. A TTM report gives lenders a quick and easy way to get a snapshot of your business's financial health.

3. Note

Note: Trailing 12 months (TTM) is a great tool for business owners to get an accurate view of their financial performance over the past year. Unlike annual financial statements, TTM tracks seasonal and quarterly trends, which can help identify areas where the business may fall short TTM. This is especially useful for businesses that have experienced recent growth and want to ensure they are on track for continued success.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is trailing 12-month yield (TTM yield)?

Trailing 12-month yield (TTM yield) is a calculation that shows the total amount of income generated by an investment over the past year. It is commonly used to measure the performance of mutual funds or exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

What are the benefits of a trailing 12 months?

A trailing 12 months provides a more accurate and up-to-date picture of a company's financial performance compared to annual reports. It also helps identify trends over time and allows for better forecasting.

What is Trailing Twelve Months (TTM)?

Trailing Twelve Months (TTM) refers to the past 12 months, used to analyze financial data to spot trends and predict future performance. It's commonly used in finance and investing.

What are trailing 12-month (TTM) figures?

Trailing 12-month figures (TTM) refer to the financial data from the past 12 months used to measure a company's performance. It enables investors to analyze long-term trends and make informed decisions.

What is the difference between a quarter and a trailing 12 months?

A quarter is a three-month period, while the trailing 12 months refer to the past year's performance. The latter provides a broader view of performance over time, whereas the former offers a more specific snapshot.

Donald Gianassi

Donald Gianassi

Writer at CGAA

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Donald Gianassi is a renowned author and journalist based in San Francisco. He has been writing articles for several years, covering a wide range of topics from politics to health to lifestyle. Known for his engaging writing style and insightful commentary, he has earned the respect of both his peers and readers alike.

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