guidance

noun guid·ance \ ˈgī-dᵊn(t)s \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of guidance

1 : the act or process of guiding

2 a : the direction provided by a guide

couldn't have done it without her guidance

b : advice on vocational or educational problems given to students

provides guidance on how to apply for scholarships

3 : the process of controlling the course of a projectile by a built-in mechanism

problems with the missile's guidance

See guidance defined for English-language learners

See guidance defined for kids

Examples of guidance in a Sentence

I couldn't have done it without her guidance.
We need more guidance on how to handle these unusual cases.

Recent Examples of guidance from the Web

The policy was in the works before Clark's shooting but his death prompted the department to issue the guidance more quickly, Chandler said.

— NBC News, "Sacramento police unveil new body cam policy after deadly shooting, protests," 11 Apr. 2018
Atemi-Ryu Karate Gain self-confidence, discipline and respect under the guidance of Sensei Billy Hart.

— Sun-Sentinel.com, "Davie, Cooper City area events, April 11-21," 11 Apr. 2018
The policy was in the works before Clark’s shooting but his death prompted the department to issue the guidance more quickly, Chandler said.

— Washington Post, "Sacramento police issue new directive on muting body cameras," 10 Apr. 2018
Federal health officials are issuing guidance on detecting and responding to outbreaks.

— laura ungar, The Courier-Journal, "Rampant opioid injection: 'A ticking time bomb' that puts all Americans at risk for disease," 6 Apr. 2018
In January, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued guidance to state Medicaid directors encouraging them to apply for waivers to establish work or community engagement requirements for Medicaid.

— ginger christ, cleveland.com, "Ohio groups, officials oppose Medicaid work requirements, as state prepares to submit waiver to federal government," 3 Apr. 2018
Long before that report, the Supreme Court issued guidance on whether a polygraph could be admitted as evidence in court.

— sandee lamotte, CNN, "The shaky science of lie detectors," 21 Mar. 2018
That has led some international airlines to issue guidance to pilots to monitor radiation activity and to descend to lower altitudes when levels rise.

— barbara peterson, Condé Nast Traveler, "How Your Plane Can Make You Sick," 20 Mar. 2018
Negron issued guidance to schools ahead of the walkouts.

— sarah gray, Time, "Thousands of Students Walked Out of School Today in Nationwide Protests. Here's Why," 14 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'guidance.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of guidance

see ¹guide

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1590

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

guidance Synonyms

Synonyms

admonishment, admonition, advice, counsel, input;

Related Words

recommendation, suggestion;

hint, pointer, tip;

data, feedback, information;

answer, solution;

advisement, consideration, thought;

alarm (also alarum), alert, caution, cautioning, expostulation, forewarning, remonstrance, remonstration, urging, warning;

judgment (or judgement), observation, verdict;

assistance, briefing, coaching, direction, instruction, mentoring, priming, prompting, teaching, tutoring;

interference, kibitzing (also kibbitzing), meddling;

moralizing, pontificating, preaching;

exhortation, lecture, lesson, sermon, speech;

Financial Definition of GUIDANCE

guidance

noun

What It Is

In the stock world, guidance refers to public communication from a company regarding earnings expectations.

How It Works

The world of earnings guidance is large and fluid, whereby the management of publicly traded companies issue public estimates about what they expect earnings to be for the coming quarter. Guidance is based on management's experience, calculations and outlook, and it significantly influences the analysts covering the stock, because the analysts incorporate the information into their own research and earnings forecasts for their clients.

Before August 2000, it was legal for public companies to provide guidance to chosen analysts rather than publicly disclose their guidance. The SEC's adoption of Regulation FD in August 2000 prohibited this selective disclosure of material nonpublic information, and public companies must now publicly disseminate guidance and earnings estimates to analysts all at the same time.

When management becomes aware that the company probably will not meet the expectations it previously communicated, the company typically issues a profit warning via press release or conference call with analysts several weeks before announcing quarterly earnings.

Why It Matters

Guidance considerably influences stock prices because it helps investors evaluate a stock's potential. If investors expect a company to report, say, $0.10 in earnings per share next quarter, but the company actually reports $0.08, many investors might sell the stock and the company's stock price will therefore probably fall after the announcement. Conversely, if the company reports $0.12, the stock price will probably rise. The degree of "miss" or "surprise" influences how much the stock price will change. This is why guidance is usually a company's attempt to "soften the blow" or “fluff the pillows” before announcing earnings.

Some companies do not give guidance. They usually make that choice to reduce legal liability in the event that management's estimates are wrong. Some analysts claim that companies that do not offer any guidance often receive a "break" on stock price changes when these companies miss earnings, because the market is aware that the company's management has given the analysts (and their resulting estimates) no input.

Source: Investing Answers

GUIDANCE Defined for English Language Learners

guidance

noun

Definition of guidance for English Language Learners

: help or advice that tells you what to do : the act or process of guiding someone or something
: the process of controlling the flight of something (such as a missile)