Retained earnings

Retained earnings

Accounting earnings that are retained by the firm for reinvestment in its operations; earnings that are not paid out as dividends.

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retained earnings

The accumulated net income that has been retained for reinvestment in the business rather than being paid out in dividends to stockholders. Net income that is retained in the business can be used to acquire additional income-earning assets that result in increased income in future years. Retained earnings is a part of the owners' equity section of a firm's balance sheet. Also called earned surplus, surplus, undistributed profits. See also accumulated earnings tax, restricted retained earnings, statement of retained earnings.

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Retained earnings. Retained earnings, also known as retained surplus, are the portion of a company's profits that it keeps to reinvest in the business or pay off debt, rather than paying them out as dividends to its investors.

Retained earnings are one component of the corporation's net worth and increase the supply of cash that's available for acquisitions, repurchase of outstanding shares, or other expenditures the board of directors authorizes.

Smaller and faster-growing companies tend to have a high ratio of retained earnings to fuel research and development plus new product expansion. Mature firms, on the other hand, tend to pay out a higher percentage of their profits as dividends.