Pretax earnings is one of the most important metrics in financial analysis, as it provides a clear look at the true financial performance of a company. It is an indicator not only of a company's financial condition, but also of its overall health and sustainability. On a fundamental level, if a company’s pretax income remains relatively consistent over time, it suggests that the company is in good financial health.

When analyzing a company, pretax earnings are used to gauge how well a company is managed and performing compared to similar companies. This analysis is done by comparing pretax income numbers to those of similar industries or competitors. It is important to note that while a company’s pretax income might be steady or increasing in certain periods, the actual after-tax income might not be as strong. This is due to the fact that taxes eat into a company’s profits. For example, if a company’s pretax income is 10 million dollars, taxes will reduce the actual earnings to a much lower number.

In addition to its importance for investors, pretax earnings are also used by businesses for tax planning purposes. Pretax earnings provide the necessary information to calculate the actual taxes owed by the company. Businesses use this information to help them plan throughout the year, as well as to plan for the future.

Overall, pretax earnings are a powerful tool in financial analysis, serving as an important metric for both investors and businesses alike. Pretax earnings provide us with an accurate representation of a company's financial performance before the effect of taxes, and as such can be used to measure business health and sustainability. Furthermore, pretax earnings can also be utilized for tax planning purposes to help businesses reduce any potential tax liability.