Shareholders' equity represents the 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:net worth of a company—the dollar amoun🗹t that would be returned to shareholders if a company's total assets were liquidated ൩and all its debts were repaid. This financial metric is typically listed on a company's balance sheet and is commonly used by analysts to determine the company's overall fiscal health.
Shareholders' equity is also used to determine the value of ratios such as:
- 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Debt-to-equity (D/E) ratio
- 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Return on equity (ROE)
- Return on average equity (ROAE)
- 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:Book value of equity 🌃per share (BVPS)
Key Takeaways
- Shareholders' equity represents the net worth of a company.
- Net worth is the amount that would be returned to shareholders if a company's total assets were liquidated and all its debts were repaid from the proceeds.
- This financial metric is frequently used by analysts to determine a company's general financial health.
- Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting total liabilities from total assets, both of which are itemized on a company's balance sheet.
How to Calculate Shareholders' Equity
Shareholders' equity can be calculated by subtracting a company's total liabilities from its total assets, both of which are itemized on the company's balance sheet.&nb🎐s🌜p;
Shareholders’ Equity=Total Assets − Total Liabilities
Total assets can be categorized as either current or non-current. Current assets are those that can be converted to cash within a year, such as accounts receivable and inventory. Long-term assets are those that can't be converted to cash or consumed within a year, such as real estate properties, manufacturing plant♑s🌺, equipment, and intangible items, including patents.
Total liabilities are also broken down into current and long-term categories. Current liabilities are debts that are due for repayment within one year, such as accounts payable and tax obligations. Long-term li🌳abilities are those that are due for repayment in periods beyond one year; they include bonds payable, leases, and pension obligations.♋
Important
Shareholders' equity most often represents the amount of financing a company experiences through common and preferred shares, but it can also be calculated by subtracting the value of 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:treasury shares from a company's 澳洲幸运5开奖号码历史查询:share capital and retained earnings.
Example of Shareholders' Equity Calculation
Consider this actual balance sheet for Bank of America Corporation (BAC), taken from their 2023 annual report. The numbers for total assets and total liabilities are $3.18 trillion and $2.88 trillion, respectively. The shareholders' equity for 2023 was $292 billion.
Shareholders' equity includes preferred stock, common stock, retained earnings, and accumulated other comprehensive income.
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What Are Retained Earnings?
Retained earnings are the portion of a company's profits that isn't distributed to shareholders. Retained earnings are typically reinvested back into the business, either through the payment of debt, to purchase assets, or to fund daily operations.
What Is Share Capital?
Share capital is the money a company raises by selling its shares to shareholders in exchange for cash. It's the capital received for its shares.
Is Shareholders' Equity a Strong Indication of a Company's Financial Health?
Shareholders' equity isn't an absolute or unchanging number. The calculation includes information from the company's balance sheet; it can be difficult to pinpoint the accuracy of depreciation and other factors. In addition, a company's assets and liabilities can change at any time because of unforeseen circumstances.
The Bottom Line
Shareholders' equity can be negative or positive. If this figure is positive, the company has sufficient assets to cover its li♕abilities. If this figure is negative, its liabilities exceed its assets; this can deter investors who view such companies as risky. Shareholders' equity isn't the sole indicator of a company's financial health, however. It should be paired with other metrics to obtain a more holistic picture of an organization's standing.