Following the stock market crash of 1929 it was essentially the wild west when it came to investments. Fast forward to today and the annual report became an invaluable tool for more than previously imagined. An annual report is a provided by law annually to shareholders providing facts on the operations and financial conditions of the company (Hayes). Annual reports give information ranging from information on the company and messages from leadership to the financial statements, auditing reports, and accounting policies (Hayes). The financial statements include balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements with specific notes. This information can then be used to determine the health of the company. A company that is continuously retaining profit, reinvesting in itself, and overall growth would be indicators as a good investment. It could also help financial institutions makes decisions on how much they're willing to loan the company. The goal of an investor is to gain a return on the investment and having the information on an annual report will help make an informed decision.