Despite performing well on an operational level and growing sales by more than 10%, several companies in the mining and natural gas sectors failed to impress on the earnings line of their individual income statements. Investors that fail to dive a bit deeper into the results might be scared off during times like this. However, a closer look eases many concerns on a company-specific level.
Because asset prices fluctuate, the values that they carry on a company's financial statements must be adjusted accordingly. Impairment charges frequently stem from this practice and can affect earnings and the appearance of the balance sheet. During periods of falling commodity prices, like the one metals and natural gas endured in 2012, the effects are expectedly negative. The following video details several companies in the mining and natural gas sectors that felt the ill affects of these account rules.
