We have changed our privacy policy. In addition, we use cookies on our website for various purposes. By continuing on our website, you consent to our use of cookies. You can learn about our practices by reading our privacy policy.


Non-Recurring Gain Or Loss

Categories: Accounting

Companies report these all the time. Usually the loss part. Like...they'll report a one-time charge for a credit card data breach that is certainly, definitely, for sure, never gonna happen again, because it was non-recurring.

One time. That's it.

Had they not lost that $32 million in the quarter from the data breach, they'd have earned $27 million. But alas, they lost $5 million. The problem? "Non-recurring" isn't really "non." Like...does anyone believe that data breach problems are now solved and fully a thing of the past? We don't.

So the notion of non-recurring is deceiving. Buyers of related stocks? Yeah, caveat the crap out of emptor.

Find other enlightening terms in Shmoop Finance Genius Bar(f)