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
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
Q: Why is the value negative? A: A negative value indicates an accumulated deficit - the company has more cumulative losses than profits. This is common for younger growth companies.
Q: Why did retained earnings decrease? A: Retained earnings decrease when dividends are paid or when the company reports a net loss.
Q: Why am I getting "NA"? A: Check that the symbol is valid and the year is within the available data range.
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