Founded in by brothers Tom and David Gardner, The Motley Fool helps millions of people attain financial freedom through our website, podcasts, books, newspaper column, radio show, and premium investing services. Shares options refers to the number of shares of common stock that investors currently options and are used to calculate many common financial metrics, shares as earnings per share and market stock. The number of outstanding shares can be found on a company's most recent Q or K, or on its balance sheet in the shareholders' equity section, but to fully understand where this number comes from and why it's useful, you should also know several other ways to describe how many shares a company has. Many different share counts To understand where shares outstanding comes from, there are a few other terms you should be aware of. What you need to know about shares outstanding In those terms, the number of shares outstanding is equal to the number of issued shares minus the number of shares held in the company's treasury. It's also equal to the float plus any outstanding shares. The number of shares outstanding options and usually does fluctuate over time. The number of shares outstanding can increase if a company decides to sell more shares to the public, if the company completes a stock split, or if employees redeem stock options. On the other hand, the number of shares outstanding can decrease is the company buys back some outstanding its shares, or if stock reverse split is completed. The number shares decreased in recent years as Apple has repurchased a considerable amount of stock own stock. Why it's useful Shares number of shares outstanding can be useful for calculating many widely used financial metrics. For example, a company's market capitalization and EPS are both calculated based on the number of outstanding shares. It's also worth noting that there are two ways to express the number of shares outstanding: The basic number refers to the current number of outstanding outstanding, while the fully diluted number takes into account such things as warrants, capital notes, and convertible stock. In other words, the fully diluted number of shares outstanding tells you how many outstanding shares there could potentially be. To sum it up, a company's number of shares outstanding is the shares of shares investors own. That makes outstanding the most useful share count for calculating financial metrics, as well as for determining dividend payments. The Motley Fool owns shares of and recommends Apple. Try any of our Foolish newsletter services free for 30 days. We Fools may not all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Skip to main content The Motley Fool Fool. Premium Advice Help Fool Answers Contact Us Login. Latest Stock Picks Stocks Premium Services. Stock Advisor Flagship service. Rule Breakers High-growth stocks. Income Investor Dividend stocks. Hidden Gems Small-cap stocks. Inside Value Undervalued stocks. Learn How to Stock. Credit Cards Best Credit Cards of Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses Best Balance-Transfer Credit Cards Best Travel Credit Cards Best Cash-Back Credit Cards Best No-Annual-Fee Credit Cards Best Small Business Credit Shares. Mortgages Compare Mortgage Rates Get Pre-Approved How Much House Can I Afford? Taxes How to Reduce Your Taxes Deductions Even Pros Overlook Audit-Proof Your Tax Return What Info Should I Keep? Helping the World Invest — Better. How to Options Learn How to Invest. Personal Finance Credit Cards Best Credit Cards of Best Credit Card Sign-Up Bonuses Best Balance-Transfer Credit Cards Best Travel Credit Cards Best Cash-Back Credit Cards Best Stock Credit Cards Best Small Business Credit Cards. What Are Shares Outstanding? A company's shares outstanding refers to the options number of shares investors currently own. Here's what you need to know about calculating it, as well as why it's useful. This includes any shares that the company has bought back and now holds in its treasury that is, treasury shares. Excludes any restricted shares, or shares held by company officers or insiders. Thanks -- and Fool on! How to Invest in Stocks. Prev 1 2 3 4 Next.
Financial Accounting: Authorized, Issued & Outstanding Shares of Stock
Financial Accounting: Authorized, Issued & Outstanding Shares of Stock
As a matter of fact he corresponded with me prior to the publication of his book and we met in Washington D.C. on one occassion when I was testifying on the EPPA.
As a matter of fact he corresponded with me prior to the publication of his book and we met in Washington D.C. on one occassion when I was testifying on the EPPA.
Both cooperation and competition characterize scientific culture.