Identifying red flags in financial statements: A guide for investors safeguarding their investments Identifying red flags in financial statements: A guide for investors safeguarding their investments Businesses frequently attempt to present themselves in a more favourable position than reality dictates. This is where red flags become valuable, they serve as indicators that there may be underlying issues with a company's financial status. Rakesh Deshmukh / Friday, May 3, 2024 / Article rating: 4.5 Red flags help investors quickly spot potential problems so they can decide whether to investigate further or avoid investing altogether.