What is non-operating income?

Non-operating income refers to earnings that are not generated from a company's primary business activities. This category encompasses various sources of income that typically fall outside the regular operational processes of the business. For example, it can include interest income, dividends, rental income from properties owned by a company, and gains from the sale of assets, among other things.

The distinction is significant for financial reporting and analysis, as it helps stakeholders understand the core earnings from a company's primary business versus supplementary income that might fluctuate based on different factors, such as investment decisions or asset sales. Non-operating income can provide insight into a company's overall financial health, but it is essential to separate it from operating income to accurately assess how well the core business is performing.