AMTPQ.PFD (Ameritrans Capital) Retained Earnings: $-26.87 Mil (As of Mar. 2013)

Ameritrans Capital  (OTCPK:AMTPQ.PFD) Retained Earnings Explanation

Historically profitable companies sometimes have negative retained earnings. This is because they have cumulatively paid out more to shareholders than they reported in profits.

For example, in 2011, Microsoft had negative retained earnings. This does not mean the company lost more money than it made over the years. It just means it paid out more money than it earned.

If a company has negative retained earnings, investors should check the 10-year financial results. They should not assume that negative retained earnings prove a company has generally lost money in the past.

Of course, many companies with negative retained earnings have indeed lost money in the past.

Retained Earnings: Warren Buffett's Secret.

One of the most important indicators of durable competitive advantage. Net earnings can be paid out as dividends, used to buy back shares or retained for growth.

If the company loses more than it has accumulated, retained earnings is negative.

If a company isn't adding to its retained earnings, it isn't growing its net worth.

Rate of growth of retained earnings is good indicator whether it's benefiting from a competitive advantage.

Microsoft is negative because it chose to buyback stock and pay dividends.

The more earnings retained, the faster it grows and increases growth rate for future earnings.

The historical data trend for Ameritrans Capital's Retained Earnings can be seen below:

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

Ameritrans Capital Retained Earnings Chart

Ameritrans Capital Annual Data
	Trend	Jun03	Jun04	Jun05	Jun06	Jun07	Jun08	Jun09	Jun10	Jun11	Jun12
Retained Earnings		Get a 7-Day Free Trial					-2.90	-7.33	-12.72	-18.72	-22.53

Ameritrans Capital Quarterly Data
	Jun08	Sep08	Dec08	Mar09	Jun09	Sep09	Dec09	Mar10	Jun10	Sep10	Dec10	Mar11	Jun11	Sep11	Dec11	Mar12	Jun12	Sep12	Dec12	Mar13
Retained Earnings	Get a 7-Day Free Trial															-21.57	-22.53	-23.91	-25.09	-26.87

Ameritrans Capital Retained Earnings Calculation

Retained Earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. Because the net income was not distributed to shareholders, shareholders' equity is increased by the same amount.

Of course, if a company loses, it is called retained losses, or accumulated losses.

Ameritrans Capital Business Description