Distributable profit
Distributable profit is the amount of money that a company can pay out to shareholders in the form of dividends after taxes, expenses, and other obligations have been paid. This amount of profit is determined by the company's board of directors and is usually determined after the company's annual financial report is released.
Distributable profit is calculated by taking the total net profit of the company and subtracting any taxes, expenses, and other obligations that have been incurred. It is important to note that the amount of distributable profit may be different from the amount of net profit reported in a company's financial statements. The formula to calculate distributable profit is as follows:
Distributable profit is an important metric in determining the financial health of a company, as it shows the amount of money that the company is able to pay out to shareholders in the form of dividends. By looking at a company's distributable profit, investors are able to make educated decisions on whether or not to invest in the company.
Example of Distributable profit
Let's take the example of a company called XYZ which has a total net profit of $100,000. If XYZ has paid out $20,000 in taxes, $15,000 in expenses, and $10,000 in other obligations, then the distributable profit of XYZ would be calculated as follows:
Distributable Profit = $100,000 - $20,000 - $15,000 - $10,000
Distributable Profit = $55,000
In this example, XYZ would have a distributable profit of $55,000, which would be the amount of money that the company could pay out to shareholders in the form of dividends after all taxes, expenses, and other obligations have been paid.
Formula of Distributable profit
When to use Distributable profit
Distributable profit is typically used when a company is looking to pay out dividends to its shareholders. By calculating distributable profit, the company's board of directors is able to determine the amount of money that can be paid out in dividends. Additionally, distributable profit is used as a metric to measure the financial health of a company, as it shows the amount of money that is available to be paid out to shareholders.
In conclusion, distributable profit is the amount of money that a company can pay out to shareholders in the form of dividends after taxes, expenses, and other obligations have been paid. It is calculated by taking the total net profit of the company and subtracting any taxes, expenses, and other obligations that have been incurred. Distributable profit is an important metric in determining the financial health of a company, as it shows the amount of money that the company is able to pay out to shareholders in the form of dividends. It is typically used when a company is looking to pay out dividends to its shareholders or as a metric to measure the financial health of a company.
Types of Distributable profit
Distributable profit can be classified into two types:
- Retained Earnings: These are the profits that are retained by the company and are not paid out as dividends. Retained earnings are used by the company to reinvest in itself, such as investing in new equipment or expanding its operations.
- Dividends: These are the profits that are paid out to shareholders in the form of dividends. The amount of dividends paid out is determined by the board of directors and is based on the company's distributable profit.
Distributable profit is an important metric for investors to consider when evaluating a company's financial health. By understanding the different types of distributable profit, investors are able to make informed decisions on whether or not to invest in a company.
Steps of Distributable profit
- First, calculate the total net profit of the company. This can be done by taking the total revenue of the company and subtracting the total expenses incurred during the same period.
- Next, subtract any taxes that have been paid by the company for the same period. This includes income tax, property tax, and other taxes.
- Then, subtract any expenses that have been incurred during the same period. This includes salaries, rent, and other operational costs.
- Finally, subtract any other obligations that the company may have incurred during the same period. This includes any debt payments or other liabilities.
By subtracting these four elements, the amount of distributable profit is determined. This amount is the amount of money that a company can pay out to shareholders in the form of dividends after taxes, expenses, and other obligations have been paid. Distributable profit is an important metric in determining the financial health of a company and is used by investors to make educated decisions on whether or not to invest in a company.
Advantages of Distributable profit
- Distributable profit provides an accurate measure of a company's financial health, as it shows the amount of money that can be paid out to shareholders.
- Distributable profit gives investors a better understanding of how well a company is performing, as it can be used to compare the company's performance to industry rivals.
- Distributable profit can be used to determine the amount of dividends that can be paid out to shareholders.
Disadvantages of Distributable profit
- Distributable profit does not account for all of the costs associated with running a business, such as research and development expenses and marketing costs.
- Distributable profit can be difficult to calculate, as it requires detailed knowledge of a company's financials.
- Distributable profit can be affected by external factors, such as changes in the economy or changes in the company's industry.
In summary, distributable profit is an important metric that can be used to assess the financial health of a company and to determine the amount of dividends that can be paid out to shareholders. It is important to note that distributable profit does not account for all of the costs associated with running a business, and can be difficult to calculate.
Limitations of Distributable profit
Despite being a useful metric in assessing a company's performance, distributable profit has some limitations that must be taken into consideration. These include:
- It does not take into account any future obligations that the company may have, such as future taxes or expenses.
- It does not take into account any non-cash expenses, such as depreciation or amortization.
- It does not take into account any non-recurring items, such as one-time gains or losses.
In addition to calculating distributable profit, there are other approaches that can be used to measure a company's financial health. These approaches include:
- Ratio Analysis: Ratio analysis measures a company's financial performance by comparing different financial ratios. These ratios can include debt to equity ratio, current ratio, and return on equity.
- Cash Flow Analysis: Cash flow analysis measures the company's ability to generate cash from its operating activities. It measures the company's ability to pay its liabilities and fund its operations.
- Operating Performance Analysis: Operating performance analysis measures a company's ability to generate profits from its operations. It looks at the company's costs, efficiency, and profitability.
Overall, distributable profit is an important measure of a company's financial health. It shows the amount of money that the company is able to pay out to shareholders in the form of dividends. Other approaches such as ratio analysis, cash flow analysis, and operating performance analysis can also be used to measure a company's financial performance and help investors make informed decisions on whether or not to invest in the company.
| Distributable profit — recommended articles |
| Unlevered free cash flow — Return on equity (ROE) — Return on assets (ROA) — Earnings per share — Net income — Retention ratio — Return on investment — RAROC — Operating earnings |
References
- Egginton, D. A. (1980). Distributable profit and the pursuit of prudence. Accounting and Business Research, 11(41), 3-14.
