Retained Earnings |Learn Important Terms and Concepts (2024)

Retained earnings are the earnings that remain with the company after the distribution of dividends to shareholders. In the event of a net loss in any financial year, a company cannot pay dividends. The benefit of retained earnings is that it is shown on the balance sheet as shareholders' equity. It is also referred to as the earnings surplus. Retained earnings are an internal source of financing as their profits were retained by the company after all expenses.

Prerequisite for Growth

Features of Retained Earnings

1. Zero Cost of Financing: The first and most important feature of retained earnings is that it is a zero cost of financing for the company because the company does not have to pay any interest, which is the case when the company raises funds through borrowings.

2. Flotation Cost: Unlike other forms of financing, using retained earnings helps to avoid issue-related costs.

3. Control: The use of retained earnings avoids the possibility of existing shareholders' control changing or being diluted as a result of the issuance of new issues.

4. Legal Requirements: The use of retained earnings is not subject to legal requirements. It only takes a resolution to be passed at the company's annual general meeting.

Retained Earnings Internal source of Finance

Merits of Retained Earnings

1. Retained earnings are a continuous source of funds for an organisation.

2. There is no explicit cost in the form of interest, dividends, or floatation costs.

3. Because funds are generated internally, there is more operational freedom and flexibility.

4. It improves the company's ability to absorb unexpected losses.

5. It may increase the market price of a company's equity shares.

Demerits of Retained Earnings

1. There is unequal growth because undistributed profits remain concentrated in the same industry.

2. Because business profits fluctuate from time to time, it is an uncertain source of funds.

3. Excessive retained earnings cause shareholder dissatisfaction because it reduces the dividends payable to them.

4. Reserves may be overcapitalised as a result of frequent capitalisation.

5. Many businesses fail to recognise the opportunity cost of these funds. As a result, the funds are used inefficiently.

   See Also

   How Do Cost of Debt Capital and Cost of Equity Differ?Equity Share Capital: Meaning, Types, Features & BenefitsThe cost of preference capital may be defined as __________________.The dividend expected by equity shareholdersThe dividend expected by both equity and preference shareholdersThe dividend expected by preference shareholdersNone of the aboveGet Rid Of Expensive Debt, Once And For All. - Vantage

Factors Affecting Retained Earnings

1. Net income/losses have a direct impact on the entity's retained earnings.

2. Dividend payments made to the entity's shareholders during the year reduce the accumulated earnings.

3. Sales growth is essential because it directly affects net income. If sales increase with a positive gross profit margin, the entity will profit. These elements have a significant impact on net income. It also has an impact on accumulated earnings.

4. The cost of goods sold has a direct impact on net income; if it rises or falls in step with sales, net income will fall into line and affect earnings.

5. Depending on the entity's financing plan, interest costs may vary. Some businesses may decide to finance their operations with loans, while others may decide to do so with equity. The entity will incur high-interest costs if it has high levels of financial leverage and borrowing. Retained earnings will be impacted by this.

Case Study

1. XYZ company has been running a financial consultancy firm for the last 7 years. The company then became very reputed and had good goodwill. It has sufficient profit reserves accumulated over the previous 7 years. He now intends to open branches in Pune and Delhi. No additional liability is desired for expanding business. In the above-mentioned situation:

1. Recommend a suitable source of funding for XYZ.

2. Explain any three characteristics of retained earnings.

Ans:

A) The best suitable source of funding would be retained earnings. Retained earnings are the earnings that remain with the company after the distribution of dividends to shareholders. So, the company has accumulated profits from the last 7 years so that can be reinvested in opening new branches.

B) The three characteristics of retained earnings are listed below:

1. Funds for New and Innovative Projects: They are a popular source of funding for risky and innovative projects. They are commonly used for research and expansion projects.

2. They are considered an ownership fund for medium and long-term finance. It is used for medium and long-term financing.

3. Retained earnings are a zero cost of financing option. It means that the company does not have to pay any interest on it.

Conclusion

Retained earnings is the money kept aside for the business rather than paying to the shareholders. Retained earnings are also referred to as trading profits or earnings surplus. It's a type of equity that helps in measuring the financial stability of the company. Retained earnings are an important part of any business. Retained earnings are an internal source of financing. They are a continuous source of funds and have the ability to absorb unexpected losses. Retained earnings can be represented as:

Retained Profits / Retained Earnings=Net Profits - Dividend / Drawings

Here, Net Profits is the amount remaining after deducting expenses from revenue.

How to Calculate Retained Earnings