Family Dollar Stores (FRA:FAY) Retained Earnings : €1,689 Mil (As of May. 2015)

Family Dollar Stores Retained Earnings Chart

Family Dollar Stores Annual Data
	Trend	Aug05	Aug06	Aug07	Aug08	Aug09	Aug10	Aug11	Aug12	Aug13	Aug14
Retained Earnings		Get a 7-Day Free Trial					1,290.88	1,374.89	994.91	1,178.79	1,294.76

Family Dollar Stores Quarterly Data
	Aug10	Nov10	Feb11	May11	Aug11	Nov11	Feb12	May12	Aug12	Nov12	Feb13	May13	Aug13	Nov13	Feb14	May14	Aug14	Nov14	Feb15	May15
Retained Earnings	Get a 7-Day Free Trial															1,255.71	1,294.76	1,387.52	1,591.77	1,688.62

Family Dollar Stores 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.

Family Dollar Stores  (FRA:FAY) 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.

Family Dollar Stores (FRA:FAY) Business Description