And you'd want to be able to expense these necessary items on your tax returns.

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The adjustment took into account stock-based compensation expense, as well as other items.

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On balance, firms that derive less than 10% of its sales through Wal-Mart averaged 39.1% in gross margin, or the percentage of profit realized before items like fixed costs and interest expense are considered.

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These reconciliations adjust the related GAAP financial measures to exclude stock-based compensation, amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, other acquisition-related costs, a contribution expense, a legal settlement charge, and the associated tax impact of these items, where applicable.

ENGADGET: NVIDIA posts Q4 2013 earnings: $1.1 billion in revenue, $174 million in profit