Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (2024)

Explanation

The general treatment of convertible preferred stock in earnings per share (EPS) calculations is basically identical to that used for convertible bonds.

Common stock equivalency is determined by comparing the cash yield at issuance to 66 2/3 percent of the prime rate. If designated as an equivalent, it is treated that way as long as it is outstanding.

Impact on EPS

If it is necessary to assume conversion of preferred stock, an accountant must increase the denominator by the number of common shares that would have been issued.

The treatment for the numerator is different from the one used for bonds because the preferred dividends are not a factor in the calculation of net income.

If conversion is not assumed, the dividends on the preferred shares are deducted from net income to determine the earnings available to common stockholders.

On the other hand, if conversion is assumed, the dividends would not have been paid and, accordingly, are not deducted from net income.

Given that dividends are not deductible expenses for tax returns, there is no adjustment to the dividends for additional taxes.

For primary EPS, conversion is only assumed for convertible preferred stock that satisfies the following criteria:

The stock is considered to be equivalent to common shares

The stock is actually convertible within the next five years

For fully diluted EPS, conversion is assumed for all preferred shares that are convertible within the next 10 years. Preferred shares are anti-dilutive if the dividends saved per issuable common share exceed EPS without assuming conversion.

Example

Suppose that the Sample Company has three issues of convertible preferred shares outstanding. Each has a par value of $10,000,000 and is convertible to 200,000 shares of common stock.

The following facts are known about each group:

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (1)

The test for equivalency is shown below:

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (2)

The impact on EPS denominators is presented as follows:

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (3)

The reported net income will receive these adjustments:

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (4)

The EPS calculations are presented below, including simple EPS. This is done to show the treatment of preferred dividends and the extent of dilution (the net income and outstanding shares are assumed).

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (5)

Conversion or Issuance During the Period

If convertible preferred shares are converted during the reporting period, earnings per share (EPS) figures are calculated as if they were converted at the beginning of the period.

Therefore, the numerator is not adjusted for the preferred dividends that are actually paid during the part of the year in which they were outstanding.

The number of common shares issued at conversion is included in the weighted average of outstanding shares. For the period prior to conversion, the common shares that would have been outstanding are weighted by the appropriate fraction of the year.

For newly-issued convertible preferred stock, any adjustment to the numerator is limited to the number of dividends actually declared (or accumulated).

Under the assumption of conversion, the number of issuable common shares is weighted by the fraction of the year that the preferred stock was outstanding.

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS FAQs

No, however an adjustment will have to be made in the numerator. To determine this, assume that conversion did not take place and calculate the diluted earnings per share (eps) accordingly. Once you have done this, then assume that the conversion did take place and calculate eps accordingly.

Preferential dividends, i.E., Those greater than a non-preferred dividend, are not deducted from net income to determine earnings available to common stockholders or from common stocks if it is assumed that the preferred shares are converted.

Conversions and issuances during a reporting period will have an impact on eps if it is assumed that they were in place for the entirety of the year. To determine the number of issue shares attributable to this, calculate earnings per share (eps) for the part of the year in which the convertible preferred stock was not outstanding. Then factor in any dividends that would have been paid with each additional common share over this period. Finally, assume that these shares were converted or issued and calculate eps accordingly.

If it is assumed that convertible preferred stock will be converted within the next 10 years, the number of issuable common shares would decrease by the appropriate fraction. Therefore, the diluted eps denominator would be reduced accordingly.

No, to determine diluted eps for convertible preferred stock dividends paid on them will not be deducted from net income. Dividends paid on the convertible preferred would reduce the amount to be distributed as a dividend and therefore reduce the number of shares that need to be included in the denominator.

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (6)

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website or view his author profiles on Amazon, Nasdaq and Forbes.

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples (2024)

FAQs

Convertible Preferred Stock Impact on EPS | Impact & Examples? ›

For companies with convertible preferred stock, the dividends paid out to these shareholders decrease the net income available to common shareholders. This reduction in net income leads to a lower basic EPS, assuming the number of common shares remains constant.

How does convertible preferred stock affect diluted EPS? ›

The convertible preferred stock is dilutive to B's EPS because the dividends on the preferred stock per common share obtainable on conversion are less than basic EPS. The convertible debt is dilutive to B's EPS because the interest expense (net of tax) per common share obtainable on conversion is less than basic EPS.

What impact does preferred stock have on EPS? ›

Dividends on preferred stock affect the numerator in the calculation of EPS, whereas dividends on common stock generally have no impact on EPS unless the two-class method of calculating EPS is required.

How do convertible bonds affect diluted EPS? ›

For convertible bonds, diluted EPS is also calculated using the if-converted method. If the convertible bonds had been converted, we would have two effects: No more convertible bonds, but additional common stock outstanding. No interest paid on convertible debt, but taxable income increases.

How are convertible securities incorporated in the calculation of EPS? ›

To incorporate convertible securities into the calculation of diluted EPS, the conversion is assumed to have occurred at the beginning of the period (or at the time the convertible security is issued, if later).

Is convertible preferred stock included in EPS? ›

Convertible preferred stocks will have an impact on the EPS numerator as preferred dividends will no longer exist upon the conversion of preferred stock into common stock and will have an impact on the denominator as the conversion of preferred stock into common stock will increase the amount of common stock applied to ...

Is preferred stock included in diluted EPS? ›

It compares the company's net earnings against its current number of shares. Calculating diluted EPS includes shares that a company may be obligated to issue in the future. Convertible preferred stock, stock options, and convertible bonds are common types of dilutive securities.

What is the basic EPS of preferred stock? ›

Basic EPS = (Net income - preferred dividends) ÷ weighted average of common shares outstanding during the period. Net income can be further broken down into 'continuing operations' P&L and 'total P&L' and preferred dividends should be removed as this income is not available to common stockholders.

Why do you subtract preferred dividends from EPS? ›

However, if the company has preferred dividends, we must subtract the value of the dividends paid out to preferred shareholders, because preferred dividends are treated “debt-like.” Preferred Shareholders → Preferred shareholders, as implied by the name, take precedence over common shareholders.

What is the EPS of preferred stock? ›

Basic EPS Formula

Net income available to shareholders for EPS purposes refers to net income less dividends on preferred shares. Dividends payable to preferred shareholders are not available to common shareholders and must be deducted to calculate EPS.

What is an example of a diluted EPS? ›

Diluted Earnings per Share Example

Suppose ABC Company reports its net income at $100,000. It also has 100,000 shares of common stock outstanding. The company also has 10,000 shares of convertible preferred stock and $200,000 of convertible debt outstanding. As you can see, diluted EPS equals $1.00.

What is the numerator of the diluted EPS calculation when convertible preferred stock is included? ›

Breaking down the numerator – Net income and preferred dividends. The numerator in the calculation of diluted EPS includes the net income available to common shareholders after adjusting for any preferred dividends paid. The company prioritises paying preferred dividends over other dividends to common shareholders.

What factors can lead to the dilution of EPS? ›

Several factors influence the extent of EPS dilution caused by stock options. These include the number of options outstanding, the exercise price, the stock price at the time of exercise, and the number of shares repurchased by the company to offset the dilution.

What determines whether a convertible security is reported as part of diluted earnings per share? ›

Convertible securities are potentially dilutive securities and part of diluted earnings per share if their change builds the EPS numerator less of what expands the EPS denominator, i.e., the EPS with transformation is not exactly the EPS before conversion.

How companies manipulate EPS? ›

Companies can manipulate EPS numbers by engaging in share buybacks. By buying back shares, a company can decrease the number of outstanding shares, which in turn increases the EPS number.

Can diluted EPS exceed basic EPS? ›

Basic EPS is always higher than diluted EPS and at best the Diluted EPS can be equal to the Basic EPS. That is because; in diluted EPS all convertible securities are added to the common shares in the denominator. Remember, EPS is the first step to calculating the P/E Ratio as a valuation metrics.

Does diluted EPS include preferred dividends? ›

The Diluted EPS formula is equal to net income less preferred dividends, divided by the total number of diluted shares outstanding (basic shares outstanding plus the exercise of in-the-money options, warrants, and other dilutive securities).

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