Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is the variation in a company's net assets from non-owner sources during a specific time period. Comprehensive income includes net income and unrealized income, such as unrealized gains/losses on hedge/derivative financial instruments and foreign currency transaction gains/losses. Comprehensive income provides a holistic view of a company's income not fully captured on the income statement.

Income excluded from the income statement is reported under "accumulated other comprehensive income" of the shareholders' equity section.  The purpose of comprehensive income is to include a total of all operating and financial events that affect owners' interests in a business.  Comprehensive income may report amounts per month, quarter, or year.  

One of the most important financial statements is the income statement. It provides an overview of revenues and expenses, including taxes and interest. At the end of the income statement is net income;  however, net income only recognizes incurred or earned income and expenses. Sometimes companies, especially large firms, realize gains or losses from fluctuations in the value of certain assets. The results of these events are captured on the cash flow statement; however, the net impact to earnings is found under "comprehensive" or "other comprehensive income" on the income statement.

Consider an example where a co-worker wins the lottery. The lottery winnings are considered part of his taxable or comprehensive income but not regular earned income. In business, comprehensive income includes unrealized gains and losses on available-for-sale investments. Comprehensive income also includes cash flow hedges, which can change in value depending on the securities' market value, and debt securities transferred from available for sale to held to maturity, which may also incur unrealized gains or losses. Gains or losses can also be incurred from foreign currency translation adjustments and in pensions and/or post-retirement benefit plans.

Comprehensive income excludes owner-caused changes in equity, such as the sale of stock or purchase of Treasury shares.  Commonly, a standard comprehensive income (CI) statement is attached under a separate heading at the bottom of the income statement.  The net income from the income statement is transferred to the CI statement and adjusted further to account for non-owner activities.  The final figure is transferred to the balance sheet under "accumulated other comprehensive income."