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Retained earnings is the accumulated portion of net income that is not distributed to shareholders. John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's retained earnings for the quarter that ended in Dec. 2025 was $-2.73 Mil.
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's quarterly retained earnings
increased
from Dec. 2024 ($-15.52 Mil) to Jun. 2025 ($-12.85 Mil) and
increased
from Jun. 2025 ($-12.85 Mil) to Dec. 2025 ($-2.73 Mil).
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's annual retained earnings
increased
from Dec. 2023 ($-18.45 Mil) to Dec. 2024 ($-15.52 Mil) and
increased
from Dec. 2024 ($-15.52 Mil) to Dec. 2025 ($-2.73 Mil).
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund (NYSE:HEQ) 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.
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund Retained Earnings Historical Data
* 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.
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund Retained Earnings Chart
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund 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.
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund (HEQ) has a Retained Earnings of $-2.73 Mil as of Dec. 2025. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund and its competitors.
Is John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's Retained Earnings too high?
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's current Retained Earnings is $-2.73 Mil. Overall, John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund has a GF Score™ of 61/100 and is considered Modestly Undervalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's Retained Earnings compare to SPE and WHF?
John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's Retained Earnings of $-2.73 Mil can be compared against companies in the Asset Management industry. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Retained Earnings for an Asset Management company?
A good Retained Earnings depends on the Asset Management industry context. However, Retained Earnings should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Retained Earnings mean?
A high Retained Earnings can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Retained earnings is the amount of net income not issued to shareholders. View historical data on John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund and its competitors. John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's current Retained Earnings is $-2.73 Mil. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund (HEQ) is currently considered Modestly Undervalued. The stock's GF Value™ is $15.52, compared to a current price of $11.39 — trading 26.6% below its estimated fair value. The current Retained Earnings is $-2.73 Mil. John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund's overall GF Score™ is 61/100 with 2 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Retained Earnings calculated?
Retained Earnings is calculated from a company's financial statements. For John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund (HEQ), the current Retained Earnings is $-2.73 Mil as of Dec. 2025. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund (HEQ) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund stock appears to be undervalued.
The current stock price of $11.39 is trading 26.6% below its estimated GF Value™ of $15.52.
GuruFocus considers John Hancock Hedged Equity &ome Fund to be Modestly Undervalued.
Key valuation signals for HEQ:
Retained Earnings: $-2.73 Mil
GF Value™: $15.52 vs. price of $11.39 (26.6% below fair value)
No single metric tells the full story. See the HEQ stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund is a closed-end management investment company. Its investment objective is to provide total return, with a focus on current income and gains, and to include long-term capital appreciation. It invests in various sectors such as financials, consumer discretionary, information technology, energy, healthcare, materials, real estate, consumer staples, short-term investments, and others.
61GF Score
Get the complete analysis for HEQ
Retained Earnings is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.
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