Accumulated Retained Earnings Deficit (Historical)
Returns historical accumulated retained earnings (or deficit) for a company. This represents the cumulative net income that has been retained by the company rather than distributed as dividends. A negative value indicates an accumulated deficit.
Supported Symbols
| Type | Format | Example |
|---|---|---|
| US Stocks | SYMBOL | AAPL, MSFT |
| ETFs | SYMBOL | SPY, QQQ |
| International | SYMBOL | SHOP, TSM |
Parameters
| Parameter | Description |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Stock ticker symbol |
| Year | Fiscal year (2020, 2021) or period code (lq, ly, lt) |
| Quarter | Optional: 1, 2, 3, or 4 for quarterly data |
| TTM | Optional: Set to "TTM" for trailing twelve months |
Understanding the Value
| Value | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Positive | Company has accumulated profits over time |
| Negative | Company has accumulated deficit (losses exceed profits) |
| Growing | Company is retaining earnings for growth |
| Declining | Company is paying dividends or incurring losses |
Notes
- Negative values are common for growth companies that have yet to turn profitable
- Large positive values often indicate mature, profitable companies
- Changes in retained earnings reflect net income minus dividends
Syntax
=hf_Accumulated_Retained_Earnings_Deficit(Symbol, Year, [Quarter], [TTM])Parameters
Stock ticker symbol
Fiscal year or period code (lq, ly, etc.)
Calendar quarter (1-4)
Set to 'TTM' for trailing twelve months
Returns
Accumulated retained earnings or deficit value
Examples
=hf_Accumulated_Retained_Earnings_Deficit("AAPL", 2023)=hf_Accumulated_Retained_Earnings_Deficit("MSFT", 2023, 2)=hf_Accumulated_Retained_Earnings_Deficit("GOOGL", "ly")=hf_Accumulated_Retained_Earnings_Deficit("TSLA", 2023, , "TTM")=hf_Accumulated_Retained_Earnings_Deficit(A1, B1, C1)When to Use
- Analyzing company profitability history
- Understanding dividend capacity
- Evaluating financial health over time
- Comparing reinvestment strategies
- Financial modeling and valuation
When NOT to Use
| Scenario | Use Instead |
|---|---|
| Need current retained earnings | Retained_Earnings() |
| Need total equity | hf_Shareholders_Equity() |
| Need period net income | hf_Net_Income() |
| Need earnings per share | hf_EPS_Diluted() |
Common Issues & FAQ
Why is the value negative?
A negative value indicates an accumulated deficit - the company has more cumulative losses than profits. This is common for younger growth companies.
Why did retained earnings decrease?
Retained earnings decrease when dividends are paid or when the company reports a net loss.
Why am I getting "NA"?
Check that the symbol is valid and the year is within the available data range.
Excel Templates Using Accumulated Retained Earnings Deficit (Historical)
These ready-made MarketXLS templates call hf_Accumulated_Retained_Earnings_Deficit() in their worksheet formulas. Open one to see the function working inside a complete model.
Related Formulas
More MarketXLS Historical Fundamentals formulas you can use in the same worksheet:
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