P&L — Profit and Loss
Definition: A financial statement summarizing revenues, costs, and expenses during a specific period.
Example
In board meetings, you'll often hear something like: "Let's pull the latest P&L numbers before we make a call" — shorthand for profit and loss.
When you'll hear it
P&L shows up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. When someone uses it, they're usually referring to profit and loss — and they expect the room to already know what that means.
FAQs
What does P&L stand for?
P&L stands for Profit and Loss.
What does P&L mean in business and finance?
A financial statement summarizing revenues, costs, and expenses during a specific period.
Where will I hear P&L used at work?
P&L comes up most often in board meetings, quarterly business reviews, and strategy off-sites. It's used as shorthand for profit and loss, so people assume you already know the term.