English #5: Some vocabulary for writing report

Today I learned how to write an annual report in my English class. 

I write down here the sample report in the textbook, it helps me to remember some vocabulary and structures. 

2018 was a year of mixed results and challenges which were caused by the slow-down in the global economy and the strength of the dollar, which affected our gross profit margins. However, lower operating costs in Asia and Australia meant that we finished more strongly than expected in the fourth quarter, with growth of 3.5% on the previous quarter. 

Sales revenues fell by 5% in the second quarter but after a stable/ steady recovery over the next two quarters, we achieved an overall sales volume of $92 million, up 2% on 2017. Cash flow from operations was $43 million and we invested$20 million in / on capital expenditure including our internet infrastructure to enable customers to do business with us more easily. We also repaid/ refunded $1 million of debt which we had borrowed to build the new factory. In addition, despite the challenges, we were able to raise our annual dividend by 2%. Last year we launched ten new product lines in eight markets and these are doing very well, which gives us cause to be optimistic about 2019. 

There are two interesting points.

1. Stable means there is no change at all, no good, no bad. In this case, steady recovery means the economy recovers gradually. 

2. We use repaid for debt, not paid.