Earnings Per Share: How To Calculate It?

November 27, 2023
9:42 am
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If you’re looking to invest outside mutual funds and ETFs, individual stocks are an option. Before investing, it is important to review the company’s Securities and Exchange Commission reports, including earnings per share (EPS), which help you make informed decisions. This article provides you with information about what earnings per share is, what constitutes a good earnings per share ratio, and the formula.

In simpler terms, earnings per share is calculated by taking the net income of a company and dividing it by the total number of its available common stock shares. It serves as an indicator of the company’s financial health.

However, businesses will show an adjusted EPS to account for one-time events or potential share dilution. When the company has higher EPS, it means that they receive great profit.

Key Takeaways

Earnings per share (EPS) is a fundamental metric in evaluating a company’s profitability.
There are three main types of EPS—trailing, current, and forward.
Calculating EPS involves a specific formula that considers net income and the average number of outstanding shares.

There are three main types of EPS as below:

1. Trailing EPS

Trailing type is calculated based on the earnings from the last four quarters, making it a reliable figure based on real data. Most price-to-earnings (P/E) ratios use this type because it is based on actual results. However, some investors view this type as outdated and also look at current and future EPS numbers.

2. Current EPS

Current type is calculated based on data from the entire current year. This includes data from past quarters and the upcoming ones.

3. Forward EPS

Forward type is calculated based on earnings forecasts for the next year, which could be from the company or experts. Investors often weigh these predictions against real one from the latest quarter to influence stock prices.

Earnings Per Share is calculated by distributing a company’s net income after it pays all bills and costs, and it is the sum available to shareholders.

The formula uses an average number of shares because the exact number can change during the year. Companies might buy or sell shares, so the average helps us get a clearer idea of how much money each share makes.

EPS = NI – PD / AOCS

** NI = Net Income

PD = Preferred Dividends

AOCS = Average Outstanding Common Shares

Limitations of Earnings Per Share (EPS)

When using EPS for investments, you should consider more about their advantages and disadvantages. A company can make it look better by buying back its own shares, which lowers the share count but keeps the profit the same.

Moreover, it can change if a company changes how it reports its numbers. Remember that it doesn’t tell you if a stock is too expensive or a good deal.

⚠️Tip: However, it’s important to check out other financial methods before making any investment decisions; do not rely only on EPS.

Conclusion

Earnings Per Share (EPS) is an important financial metric that evaluates a company’s profitability. With variations like trailing, current, and forward types, it offers a multi-faceted view of financial health. However, it’s not an independent indicator. Companies can apply it through tactics like share repurchase or altered reporting methods. Thus, it is valuable, it should be considered as a part of a broader investment evaluation strategy.