How to Calculate Common Stock Outstanding: A Simple Guide

average common shares outstanding

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  • The number of shares of common stock outstanding is shown in the stockholders’ equity section of the balance sheet.
  • The amount of average shares outstanding can be impacted by a variety of actions that are authorized by a firm’s board of directors.
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  • A company’s basic outstanding shares can be affected by the conversion of securities, which can also impact its diluted shares.
  • Shares outstanding include shares owned by retail and institutional investors and restricted shares held by company officials and employees.
  • These adjustments maintain consistency in EPS calculations across reporting periods.

Shares Outstanding in Financial Metrics

  • Weighted averages are also used in other aspects of finance including calculating portfolio returns, inventory accounting, and valuation.
  • If shares have been issued halfway through the financial year, then only a 6 months impact is included in the weighted average share count.
  • For example, a company might report 10 million shares authorized, 8 million shares issued, and 7.5 million shares outstanding.
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Please note in the case of Colgate, the number of shares that increase due to stock options and restricted stock units is 9.1 million for 2014. Also, note that stock options and restricted stock units affect the total number of shares outstanding. The most up-to-date number of basic shares outstanding can be found in the latest form 10-K or 10-Q of a company. The retained earnings balance sheet notes to financial statements provide essential details that complement the primary financial statements.

  • The average shares outstanding figure is inserted into the denominator of the earnings per share calculation, to derive the earnings per share in a reporting period.
  • Weighted average shares outstanding is the number of company shares after incorporating changes in the shares during the year.
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  • The number of weighted average shares outstanding is used in calculating metrics such as Earnings per Share (EPS) in order to provide a fair view of a company’s financial condition.

What triggers changes in WASO?

For example, a 10% stock dividend gives a shareholder with 100 shares an additional 10 shares. This increase in share count must be reflected in the weighted average calculation to avoid distorting financial metrics. According to Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) guidelines, these adjustments are applied retrospectively to all presented periods to ensure consistency. Adjustments for stock splits and dividends are necessary to refine the calculation. Stock splits alter the share count without affecting the company’s market value. For example, in a 2-for-1 average common shares outstanding stock split, a shareholder with 100 shares priced at $50 each will post-split own 200 shares priced at $25 each.

average common shares outstanding

What is Weighted Average Shares Outstanding

average common shares outstanding

By understanding this process, stakeholders can gain a clearer picture of a company’s profitability on a per-share basis. The weighted average shares outstanding or WASO adjusts for the impact of any share issues or repurchases during the year. WASO is used to calculate the   Similar to the calculation of diluted shares outstanding, basic shares outstanding is the starting point for calculating the WASO. This figure is then adjusted for any shares issued or repurchased during the year, adjusted for timing.

average common shares outstanding

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It accounts for the timing of share issuance or repurchase within a financial period. The net dilution equals the gross new shares in each tranche less the shares repurchased. Ultimately, the company’s allocation of its net earnings is a discretionary decision determined by management and the board of directors, with the goal of maximizing shareholder value. PwC refers to the US member firm or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and may sometimes refer to the PwC network.

average common shares outstanding