Search+Intelligent InvestingSynopsisGoods left the warehouse. The invoice went out. So it must be a sale, right? Not always. Under the rules, a sale counts only when the customer truly takes control of what was bought. Not when it ships. Not when the bill is raised. Not even when the cash comes in. Stretch that one moment, and a weak year can be dressed up as a strong one. This piece explains, in plain words, when a sale is really a sale, and how to spot the companies bending that line before the market does.Here is a simple test you can run on any company. Sales are rising. Profit is rising. So ask one question. Where is the cash? Because sales on paper and money in the bank are not the same thing. A company can show bigger sales every single year. It can name big customers. It can fill its books with money it is owed. And still, almost none of it may ever turn into real cash. Sometimes the buyers are not real buyers at all. They are friendly ETMarkets.com 34 mins readJun 27, 2026, 05:46:00 AM ISTGift this Story to your friendsFONT SIZEAbcSmallAbcMediumAbcLargeSAVEPRINTCOMMENTContinue reading with one of these options:Limited AccessFreeLogin to get access to some exclusive stories & personalised newslettersLogin NowUnlimited AccessStarting @ Rs120/monthGet access to exclusive stories, expert opinions & in-depth stock reportsSubscribe NowETUh-oh! This is an exclusive story available for selected readers only.Worry not. You’re just a step away.What’s Included withETPrime Membership