I think the biggest problem in trying to compare statements from companies in different countries is that the rules vary from country to country in how to record items. So to be able to accurately compare you’d need to make changes to the financial statements so that differences in treatments are neutralized. Example: in the US R&D is expensed the year it is incurred, in other countries it’s capitalized – entered as an asset and expenses over time. If you were comparing statements from two competitors with the variation, it would look like the US company isn’t doing as well because it’s net profit would be lower, everything else being the same.

 

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