Difference Between Basic EPS and Diluted EPS (With Table)

Everybody wants their profit. Therefore, people have invented so many ways or methods with the help of which they can easily calculate their profit or loss. And if you are into the share market, you should always know these basic methods because they might benefit you in the long term.

There are two ways that companies use to calculate their profit that is Basic EPS and Diluted EPS. Where Basic EPS is used by small companies with a less complex financial structure and Diluted EPS is used by those companies that have very complex financial structures. But for a clear image, both of these methods are used by the companies.

Basic EPS vs Diluted EPS

The main difference between Basic EPS and Diluted EPS is that Basic EPS is the preferred choice for small businesses or companies that have easy income composition which does not need complex calculation methods. On the other hand, Diluted EPS is a very complex method that is used by big companies having high expenditures.

Basic EPS (Earnings per share) is a calculation method shown in the companies income statement, and it tells about the amount of net income that was allocated to each ordinary share of the company. It includes basic methods and business with small financial structure uses this method.

Diluted EPS is used by companies having very complicated and high economic structures. It includes common shares, stock options, debts, and warrants, etc. As it also includes convertible shares, the value of measures may vary. This method converts the securities. That’s why the Diluted EPS is always less than Basic EPS.

Comparison Table Between Basic EPS and Diluted EPS

Parameters of Comparison

Basic EPS

Diluted EPS

Definition

This is a method that is used by companies to find out their company per equity share.

It is a method with the help of which companies find out the ESP of the company per convertible share.

Aim

Its purpose is to find out the profitability of the company.

It also aims to find out companies’ profitability, but it also includes convertible securities.

Complexity

It is a very easy method and does not include complex methods.

It is very complex, and expert skills are needed to use this method.

Includes

It only includes common shares.

It includes common shares, stock options, debts, and warrants, etc.

Projections

It provides real-time projections. And mainly used for current calculations.

It provides a futuristic image. And also useful for conservative calculations.

Accurateness

More accurate since the denominator includes only common shares.

Less accurate since the denominator includes common as well as convertible shares.

What is Basic EPS?

Basic EPS tells about the current scenario and is mainly used for real-time calculations. It is calculated by subtracting net income from preferred dividends and then dividing the whole by common shares average. This method is basically for easy financial structures.

Basic EPS only includes common shares; therefore, the calculation made is more accurate as compared to the Diluted EPS calculations. In this method of profit calculation, the effect of equity dilution is not considered. This method of calculation is not much popular as it does not include convertible shares.

Basic EPS mostly targets the profitability of the company, but the companies with complicated financial structures consider both Basic as well as Diluted EPS to get a clear image of their profit gain.

What is Diluted EPS?

The Diluted EPS method would calculate a company’s earnings per share if all convertible shares were changed. It includes common shares, stock options, debts, and warrants, etc. because of this, the value which comes after the calculation is less accurate or varying.

Diluted EPS is used in complex financial calculations and is mostly used by big companies with high economic status. The calculation made with the help of this method gives a clear picture of futuristic profit statements. It does not help much in current calculations.

These Dilutive securities can be converted to common stocks or ordinary shares. These conversions in securities decares the earning per share; therefore, diluted EPS is slightly lower than the EPS.

Main Differences Between Basic EPS and Diluted EPS

  1. Basic EPS is a method that is used by companies to find out their company per equity share. On the other hand, Diluted EPS is a method with the help of which companies find out the ESP of the company per convertible share.
  2. Diluted EPS is less accurate since the denominator includes common as well as convertible shares. Whereas Basic EPS is more accurate since the denominator includes only common shares.
  3. Basic EPS is a very easy method and does not include complex methods. While Diluted EPS is very complex, and expert skills are needed to use this method.
  4. Basic EPS only includes common shares. Whereas Diluted EPS is more complex and includes common shares, stock options, debts, and warrants, etc.
  5. Diluted EPS provides a futuristic image and is also useful for conservative calculations. While Basic EPS provides real-time projections and is mainly used for current calculations.

Conclusion

In a world full of rush, everybody wants to make money or profit. For that purpose, they use various types of methods with the help of which they estimate their profit and loss monthly as well as yearly. These methods also help a company or organization maintaining its expenditure chart. Big companies and organizations use more complex calculation methods as compared to small companies because of their complicated economic structures.

The basic EPS method is mostly used by those companies or organizations that do not have much complicated financial structure. On the other hand, the Diluted EPS calculates complicated economic problems and provides you with a futuristic image of your financial plan. And in Diluted EPS, the denominator only includes common shares. Therefore, it gives you a more accurate value.

References

  1. https://meridian.allenpress.com/accounting-review/article-abstract/77/3/627/53127