An operating loss, commonly referred to as an OL, is a situation where a company's expenses exceed the gross profit generated from its core operations. The operating loss typically excludes other factors unrelated to the company's core business such as interest income, interest expense, taxes, and extraordinary gains/losses, allowing for a more accurate assessment of a company's internal operations without external factors distorting the information.

An operating loss can be caused by a variety of factors such as increased expenses, decreased sales, or excessive overhead. The most common reasons for an operating loss include:

• Poor pricing: Selling goods/services at prices below their cost • Poor expense management: Incurring unnecessary expenses • Poor inventory management: Accumulating too much inventory, resulting in excessive costs • Unprofitable business models: Selling goods/services which bring in less money than its costs • Unfavorable macroeconomic conditions: A general weakening of the market, which can decrease demand for goods/services offered

In some cases, a company may incur an operating loss as part of a strategy to expand its business by reinvesting its resources. This can be a useful tactic if the rest of the business appears to be profitable, and the company has the resources to invest in new initiatives to grow its business.

When evaluating a company’s financial statements, it is important to consider the operating loss to determine whether or not the company’s core business is healthy. If operating losses continue to occur, it is important to investigate the company’s operations to determine the root cause and make the necessary changes to improve profitability. If a company is unable to adjust its operations to prevent future operating losses, it could be an indication of more significant financial issues that may necessitate urgent action.