What does the term "non-operating income" refer to?

The term "non-operating income" refers specifically to income that is not generated from a company's core business operations. This includes earnings derived from investments, sales of assets, or other activities that do not relate directly to the company's primary business activities. For instance, a company might earn interest on investments, realize gains from selling property, or receive dividends from stocks. These types of income are considered non-operating because they do not reflect the primary operational activities that contribute to the company's main profit-generating functions.

Understanding non-operating income is crucial for interpreting a company's overall financial performance, as it can significantly impact net income but does not indicate how well the core business is doing.

Other options focus on operational aspects or fundraising activities, which do not accurately encapsulate the nature of non-operating income, making option B the clear choice.