ISS Group Limited (ASX:ISS) Retained Earnings : A$-4.38 Mil (As of Dec. 2012)

ISS Group Limited Retained Earnings Chart

ISS Group Limited Annual Data
	Trend	Jun04	Jun05	Jun06	Jun07	Jun08	Jun09	Jun10	Jun11	Jun12
Retained Earnings		Get a 7-Day Free Trial				4.66	-8.64	-5.00	-5.24	-4.53

ISS Group Limited Semi-Annual Data
	Dec04	Jun05	Dec05	Jun06	Dec06	Jun07	Dec07	Jun08	Dec08	Jun09	Dec09	Jun10	Dec10	Jun11	Dec11	Jun12	Dec12
Retained Earnings	Get a 7-Day Free Trial												-4.91	-5.24	-3.45	-4.53	-4.38

ISS Group Limited 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.

ISS Group Limited  (ASX:ISS) 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.

ISS Group Limited (ASX:ISS) Business Description