What Is Trailing 12 Months (TTM)?
Trailing 12 months (TTM) is a term used to describe the past 12 consecutive months of a company’s performance data, that’s used for reporting financial figures. The 12 months studied do not necessarily coincide with a fiscal-year ending period.
TTM figures are produced for a variety of metrics including earnings, EPS, P/E, and yield.
Key Takeaways
- Trailing 12 months (TTM) is the term for the data from the past 12 consecutive months used for reporting financial figures.
- A company's trailing 12 months represents its financial performance for a 12-month period; it does not typically represent a fiscal-year ending period.
- The last 12 consecutive months provide investors with a compromise that is both current and seasonally adjusted.
- By consistently evaluating trailing 12-month numbers, company financials can be evaluated both internally and externally regardless of when the fiscal year-end is.
- TTM allows for a like comparison of a company's performance trajectory that smooths away inconsistencies.
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Understanding Trailing 12 Months (TTM)
Analysts and investors use TTM to dissect a wide swath of financial data, such as balance sheet figures, income statements, and cash flows.The methodology for calculating TTM data may differ from one financial statement to the next.
In the equity research space, some analysts report earnings quarterly, while others do so annually. But investors who seek daily information about stock prices and other current data may look to TTMs as more relevant measures, because they're more current and are seasonally adjusted.
TTM figures can also be used to calculate financial ratios. The price/earnings ratio is often referred to as P/E (TTM) and is calculated as the stock's current price, divided by a company's trailing 12-month earnings per share (EPS).
Much of fundamental analysis involves comparing a measurement against a like measurement from a prior term, to decipher how much growth was realized. For example, although the company that reports $1 billion in revenues is undoubtedly impressive, this achievement is even more notable if that same company's revenues increased from $500 million to $1 billion, within the last 12 months. This marked improvement provides a clear snapshot of the company’s growth trajectory.
Where to Find the TTM Measures
The 12-month measure is typically reported on a company’s balance sheet, which is customarily updated on a quarterly basis, in order to comply with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), although some analysts take an average of the first quarter and the last quarter.
Line items on the cash flow statement (e.g., working capital, capital expenditures, and dividend payments) should be treated based on the feeding financial statement. For example, working capital is compiled from balance sheet line items, which are averaged. However, depreciation is deducted from income on a quarterly basis; so analysts look at the last four quarters as reported on the income statement.
TTM Revenue
TTM Revenue describes the revenue that a company earns over the trailing 12 months (TTM) of business. This data is instrumental in determining whether or not a company has experienced meaningful top-line growth, and can pinpoint precisely where that growth is coming from. However, this figure is often overshadowed by a company’s profitability, and its capability for generating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA).
The formula for TTM revenue is simply to add up the previous four quarters of revenues to date.
TTM Revenue = current Q earnings + Q-1 earnings + Q-2 earnings + Q-3 earnings.
So, if XYZ Corp. generated $29.4 billion in revenue in Q1 in the quarter that just ended, $33.5 billion in the previous quarter, $30 billion the quarter before that, and $21.9 billion the one before that, TTM revenue would be: $29.4 + 33.5 + 30 + 21.9 = $87.8 billion.
TTM Yield
Used to analyze mutual fund or exchange-traded fund (ETF) performance, TTM yield refers to the percentage of income a portfolio has returned to investors over the last 12 months. This number is calculated by taking the weighted average of the yields of all holdings housed within a fund, whether they be stock, bonds, or other funds.
TTM yield can also refer to the dividend yield for a stock paid out over the prior 12 months. For instance, if a company with $100 stock paid out a 10-cent quarterly dividend over the past four quarters, the TTM yield would be: (0.10 + 0.10 + 0.10 + 0.10)/$100 = 0.4%.
TTM Price/Earning Ratio
TTM is also used in looking at the trailing P/E ratio of a company's stock. Trailing P/E is a relative valuation multiple that is based on the last 12 months of actual earnings, and is calculated by taking the current stock price and dividing it by the TTM earnings per share (EPS).
Trailing P/E Ratio = Current Share Price / TTM EPS
Trailing P/E can be contrasted with theforward P/E, which insteaduses projected future earnings to calculate theprice-to-earnings ratio.
How Do You Calculate Trailing Twelve Months (TTM)?
Trailing twelve months calculations will depend on which financial metric is being considered. In general, TTM calculations will either (1) add up the figures from the previous 12 months (or four quarters) as a sum; or (2) take the average or weighted average of the previous 12 months' figures.
Is Trailing 12 Months the Same as Last Twelve Months?
Yes, last 12 months (LTM) is another term for trailing 12 months (TTM).
What Is a Trailing 12 Months Profit & Loss?
TTM P&L keeps a running tab of how well an investment or project has performed over the prior twelve-month period. It takes the monthly or quarterly returns over that time period and reports a weighted average profit or loss figure.
The Bottom Line
Trailing 12 months (TTM) figures report metrics based on the last 12 months (or four quarters) to date on a rolling basis. In addition to being used to measure recent trends or annual performance, TTM financial metrics are frequently used to compare the relative performance of similar companies within an industry or sector. Financial metrics commonly considered by looking at the last twelve months of figures include a company's sales, stock returns, dividend yield, price-earnings (P/E) ratio and earnings per share (EPS).
Greetings, enthusiasts of financial analysis and data-driven decision-making. I'm an expert in the field, with a wealth of experience and a track record of deep understanding in the realm of financial metrics, particularly the concept we're delving into today: Trailing 12 Months (TTM).
Now, let's cut straight to the chase. Trailing 12 Months (TTM) is a crucial term in financial reporting, representing the past 12 consecutive months of a company's performance data. It's not confined to fiscal year-end periods, providing a dynamic and current snapshot of a company's financial health. TTM figures are utilized for various metrics such as earnings, earnings per share (EPS), price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, and yield.
Analyzing TTM involves dissecting a broad spectrum of financial data, from balance sheets to income statements and cash flows. The calculation methodology may vary across different financial statements. Investors and analysts turn to TTM for more current and seasonally adjusted measures, especially in spaces where daily information about stock prices and other current data is sought.
TTM figures are instrumental in calculating financial ratios, with the price/earnings (P/E) ratio often referred to as P/E (TTM). This ratio is calculated by dividing the stock's current price by the company's trailing 12-month earnings per share.
Now, where to find these TTM measures? Typically, they are reported on a company's balance sheet, which is usually updated quarterly. Various line items on the cash flow statement are treated based on the feeding financial statement.
TTM Revenue, a crucial aspect, describes the revenue a company earns over the trailing 12 months. The formula is straightforward: add up the revenues from the previous four quarters. This figure is essential for understanding a company's top-line growth and identifying its sources.
TTM Yield is employed to analyze mutual fund or ETF performance, representing the percentage of income returned to investors over the last 12 months. This can also refer to the dividend yield for a stock paid out over the prior 12 months.
TTM is also integral in assessing the trailing P/E ratio of a company's stock. This ratio, contrasting with the forward P/E, is based on the last 12 months of actual earnings, offering a real-time valuation multiple.
Calculating Trailing Twelve Months depends on the financial metric considered, either adding up the figures or taking an average or weighted average of the previous 12 months.
And to clear up any confusion, Last 12 Months (LTM) is synonymous with Trailing 12 Months (TTM).
In conclusion, Trailing 12 Months figures are a powerful tool for assessing recent trends, annual performance, and making relative comparisons within industries or sectors. Key financial metrics, such as sales, stock returns, dividend yield, P/E ratio, and EPS, are commonly considered when evaluating the last twelve months of a company's performance.
