What does 'net profit' indicate?

Net profit is a critical financial metric that reflects a company's profitability over a specific accounting period. It is calculated by subtracting all expenses, including cost of goods sold, operating expenses, interest, and taxes, from total revenue. This figure represents the actual profit available to shareholders and is a key indicator of a company's financial health.

When analyzing net profit, it is essential to understand its implications. A positive net profit signifies that a business is operating efficiently and generating sufficient revenue to cover its costs, while a negative net profit indicates potential financial difficulties.

The other options relate to different aspects of financial accounting. Total revenue is a measure of all income generated, total expenses refer to all costs incurred during the period, and the difference between current assets and liabilities describes a company's working capital, not its profitability. Thus, these alternatives do not accurately define what net profit indicates.