What is earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT)?

Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) is a key financial metric that represents a company's profitability from core operations, excluding the effects of interest and income taxes. It provides a clearer picture of operational efficiency and performance, as it focuses solely on the income generated from a company's primary business activities without the influence of financing arrangements or tax obligations.

By isolating these expenses, EBIT allows for a more straightforward comparison of earnings across different companies, regardless of their capital structure or tax situations. This makes EBIT particularly useful for analysts and investors who want to evaluate the operating performance of a business.

The other options do not accurately define EBIT. The total expenses of a firm encompasses all costs including interest and taxes, while net income after interest and taxes accounts for the final financial position, not just operational profitability. Lastly, total revenue generated by sales reflects gross income, not accounting for any operational costs or expenses.