What is the primary purpose of fundamental analysis in investing?

The primary purpose of fundamental analysis in investing is to evaluate a company's financial health. This approach involves examining various financial statements, such as the income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow statement, to assess the company's performance and profitability. By analyzing key financial metrics, such as earnings, revenue, debt levels, and return on equity, investors can gain insights into a company’s value relative to its stock price. This analysis aims to identify undervalued or overvalued stocks based on the company's fundamental financial data, allowing investors to make informed decisions about buying or selling shares.

While determining market trends, predicting stock price movements, and assessing mutual fund performance are important aspects of the investment process, they are not the core focus of fundamental analysis. Instead, fundamental analysis concentrates on the internal financial condition and operational efficiency of the individual companies, which ultimately influences their stock performance over the long term.