What is the concept of operating income in accounting?

@fred.nader 

Operating income in accounting is a financial measurement that calculates the profit a company generates from its core operations, specifically from its primary revenue-generating activities. It represents the amount of money a company earns before incorporating non-operating items or extraordinary expenses. Operating income is also known as operating profit, operating earnings, or operating margin.

To calculate operating income, the following formula is used: Operating Income = Net Sales - Cost of Goods Sold - Operating Expenses

Net sales represent the total revenue generated by a company from the sale of its goods or services. Cost of goods sold (COGS) includes the direct costs associated with producing or purchasing the products sold, such as raw materials, labor, or direct production costs. Operating expenses comprise all other costs not directly related to production, including marketing expenses, administrative costs, rent, salaries, utilities, and depreciation.

Operating income is crucial for understanding the profitability of a company's core operations, as it excludes the impact of non-operating items, such as interest income/expenses, gains/losses from investments or asset sales, and taxes. It helps analysts, investors, and management determine how effectively a company is generating profits from its primary business activities.