Search
Close this search box.

Table of Contents

Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS)



Definition

Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) is a financial measure that indicates a company’s profitability by revealing the portion of its profit allocated per outstanding share of common stock. It is calculated by dividing net income by the number of outstanding shares. Basic EPS does not factor in the potential dilution caused by stock options, convertible securities or other potential sources of additional shares.

Phonetic

Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS): /ˈbeɪ.sɪk ˈɝ:nɪŋz pɝ ʃɛər (iː.pɪ.ɛs)/

Key Takeaways

Sure! Here are three main takeaways about Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS):

  1. Definition: Basic EPS is a profitability indicator used by investors to understand the amount of net income that is allotted to each share of common stock. It is calculated by taking the net income and subtracting any dividends on preferred stock, then dividing by the average outstanding shares.
  2. Importance: EPS is quite essential as it gives investors a sense of the company’s profitability. It is often used to compare the profitability between companies within the same industry. A high EPS indicates high profitability and vice versa. Companies often aim to increase their EPS to attract more investors.
  3. Limitations: While it’s a useful tool, EPS also has some limitations. It doesn’t consider the opportunity cost of capital and can’t be used to compare companies with different numbers of outstanding shares. Also, companies can artificially increase EPS through tactics like buybacks, which does not actually improve the firm’s profitability.

Importance

Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) is a crucial financial term in business because it indicates a company’s profitability per outstanding share of common stock. It is derived by deducting all the business expenses, including taxes and preferred stock dividends, from the total profits and then dividing the result by the number of outstanding shares. Investors and analysts use this figure to assess the financial performance and stability of a company. In addition, it serves as a robust tool for comparing the financial health of different firms within the same industry. Therefore, a higher basic EPS often attracts investors as it suggests higher profitability.

Explanation

Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) serves as a crucial tool for measuring a company’s profitability on a per-share basis, and it is often used by investors to compare entities within the same industry or to evaluate the profitability of their own investments. Essentially, it signifies the portion of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. Basic EPS provides investors with a quantifiable measure of a company’s profitability and, more importantly, it offers a straightforward tool for comparing this metric with that of other companies. In addition to evaluating profitability, Basic EPS can also be used in calculating other important financial indicators such as the company’s Price to Earnings (P/E) ratio. Furthermore, Basic EPS can influence the financial decisions of both the company and potential investors. For example, if a company’s Basic EPS is increasing, it may decide to use its increased profit to reinvest in itself or distribute dividends to its shareholders. Conversely, investors might perceive a company with a steady or increasing Basic EPS as financially stable and making effective use of its resources, which might encourage further investment.

Examples

Here are three real-world examples of Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS): 1. Apple Inc.: In the first quarter reports of 2021, Apple reported a basic EPS of $1.68. This figure was calculated by dividing $28.76 billion (net income for the period) by the total outstanding shares (17.1 billion). 2. Amazon Inc.: For the year ending December 2020, Amazon reported an EPS of $41.83. To calculate this, Amazon took their net income of $21.33 billion and divided it by the average number of common shares outstanding during the period (about 500 million). 3. Microsoft Corporation: For the fiscal year ending in June 2021, Microsoft reported a basic EPS of $8.05. This was calculated by dividing their net income of $61.27 billion by their total number of common shares outstanding, roughly 7.6 billion. In each instance, the companies calculate the EPS by taking the net income available to common shareholders for the particular period and dividing it by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during that period. This provides investors with a per-share profitability measurement.

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ)

What is Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS)?
Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) represents the portion of a company’s profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. It serves as an indicator of a company’s profitability.
How is Basic EPS calculated?
Basic EPS is calculated by dividing net income – dividends on preferred stock by the average outstanding shares. The formula being: Basic EPS = (Net Income – Preferred Dividends) / Average Outstanding Shares.
Why is Basic EPS important?
The Basic EPS is a significant financial measure for investors and stakeholders as it provides insights into the profitability of a company and serves as a basis for numerous financial ratios.
What is considered a good EPS?
A high EPS indicates greater profitability and can often result in the company’s stock becoming more attractive to investors. However, what’s considered good can vary by industry, market conditions and the historical performance of the company.
Can a company have a negative Basic EPS?
Yes, a negative EPS generally indicates a loss in the company’s net income. It happens when a company’s expenses exceed its revenue.
How does stock dilution affect Basic EPS?
Stock dilution typically leads to a decrease in the Basic EPS because the same amount of earnings is being divided among a larger number of shares.
What is the difference between Basic EPS and Diluted EPS?
Basic EPS does not take into account the dilutive effect of stock options, convertible securities and other obligations that could potentially increase the total number of outstanding shares, unlike Diluted EPS which does account for these factors.
How often is EPS reported?
EPS is typically reported on a quarterly and annual basis, aligning with the release of the company’s quarterly and annual financial statements.

Related Finance Terms

  • Net Income
  • Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
  • Financial Reporting
  • Common Stockholders
  • Income Statement

Sources for More Information


About Our Editorial Process

At Due, we are dedicated to providing simple money and retirement advice that can make a big impact in your life. Our team closely follows market shifts and deeply understands how to build REAL wealth. All of our articles undergo thorough editing and review by financial experts, ensuring you get reliable and credible money advice.

We partner with leading publications, such as Nasdaq, The Globe and Mail, Entrepreneur, and more, to provide insights on retirement, current markets, and more.

We also host a financial glossary of over 7000 money/investing terms to help you learn more about how to take control of your finances.

View our editorial process

About Our Journalists

Our journalists are not just trusted, certified financial advisers. They are experienced and leading influencers in the financial realm, trusted by millions to provide advice about money. We handpick the best of the best, so you get advice from real experts. Our goal is to educate and inform, NOT to be a ‘stock-picker’ or ‘market-caller.’ 

Why listen to what we have to say?

While Due does not know how to predict the market in the short-term, our team of experts DOES know how you can make smart financial decisions to plan for retirement in the long-term.

View our expert review board

About Due

Due makes it easier to retire on your terms. We give you a realistic view on exactly where you’re at financially so when you retire you know how much money you’ll get each month. Get started today.

Due Fact-Checking Standards and Processes

To ensure we’re putting out the highest content standards, we sought out the help of certified financial experts and accredited individuals to verify our advice. We also rely on them for the most up to date information and data to make sure our in-depth research has the facts right, for today… Not yesterday. Our financial expert review board allows our readers to not only trust the information they are reading but to act on it as well. Most of our authors are CFP (Certified Financial Planners) or CRPC (Chartered Retirement Planning Counselor) certified and all have college degrees. Learn more about annuities, retirement advice and take the correct steps towards financial freedom and knowing exactly where you stand today. Learn everything about our top-notch financial expert reviews below… Learn More