To simplify the presentation of earnings per share (EPS) numbers, the generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) allow firms not to disclose the effects of dilution when the result is immaterial.

Rather than leave that judgment to individual accountants, the GAAP specified a 3% threshold for determining whether the effects of dilution are material or not.

Based on this requirement, a firm should determine if its fully diluted EPS figure is less than or equal to 97% of simple EPS. If it is, then both primary and fully diluted EPS are to be disclosed.

If the fully diluted EPS is more than 97% of the simple EPS, only the simple EPS result needs to be reported.

It should be noted that the materiality test is not mandatory but only a voluntary guideline. Thus, firms only have to comply if they want to or if there is material dilution in one year but not the other when comparative statements are presented.

Example

Consider the following data:

Data Concerning Example Company

From these facts, we can proceed to perform the calculations necessary to provide the EPS information required.

Calculations for EPS

Weighted Average

There are three groups of common shares:

  1. Group 1 consists of 800,000 shares that were outstanding from 1 January to 31 December
  2. Group 2 consists of 420,000 that were outstanding from 1 March to 31 December
  3. Group 3 consists of 48,000 shares that were outstanding from 1 August to 31 December

Schedule 1 below shows the calculation of the weighted average which is used in this example to calculate the EPS figures.

Calculation of Weighted Average of Common Shares

Warrants

All of the warrants outstanding at the end of 20×4 are exercisable within the next five years and have exercise prices ($30 and $45) below the last quarter‘s market value. Consequently, all are to be considered dilutive for primary and fully diluted EPS.

The treasury stock method can be applied without concern for the 20% test because cash produced upon exercise would be insufficient for acquiring more than 253,600 shares (20% of the year-end total of 1,268,000 shares).

Schedule 2 shows the calculation of the effect of the warrants on the denominator of primary EPS.

Since groups B and C were not outstanding for the year, the average market value is used for the period that the warrants were outstanding and to weight the number of incremental shares by the fraction of the year that the warrants were in effect.

Group B was outstanding for seven months and group C for only four months. A total of 21,726 equivalent shares is added to the denominator for primary EPS in the below example.

Effect of Warrants on Primary EPS

Incremental Shares Formula

Schedule 3 shows the calculation of the effect of the warrants on the denominator of fully diluted EPS.

Since groups B and C were exercised during the year, it is necessary to use the market value of the stock for the date on which they were exercised (even though the average market value is higher).

The number of incremental shares should also be weighted by the fraction of the year that the warrants were in effect.

Because the year-end market value ($49) was higher than the average for the year ($46), it is used for groups A and D. The total of 24,117 equivalent shares is added to the denominator for fully diluted EPS in the below example.

Effect of Warrants on Fully Diluted EPS

Convertible Preferred Shares

Since convertible preferred stock cannot be converted until six years after 31 December 20×4, there is no need to test for its equivalency to common stock or to assume its conversion for the computation of primary EPS.

Thus, the only effect on primary EPS is the deduction of the declared dividends of $168,750 from the numerator.

For fully diluted EPS, conversion should be assumed because it can take place within the next ten years. The numerator, therefore, does not show any adjustment for dividends.

Because the preferred shares were outstanding for only three-fourths of 20×4, the denominator is increased by only three-fourths of the 200,000 common shares that would have been issued if conversion had taken place.

Thus, 150,000 shares are added to the denominator in the below example.

Convertible Debenture Bonds

Convertible bonds are exercisable within five years and need to be tested for equivalency. Their cash yield of 5% equals their nominal rate because they were issued at face.

This rate is below 51/3% (two-thirds of the prime rate of 8%). Therefore, the bonds are considered to be equivalent to common stock.

Consequently, conversion is assumed for both primary and fully diluted EPS. The calculation of the numerator adjustment is seen below:

Calculation of Net Interest Expense Savings

The denominators are both increased by 60,000 shares (see the below example).

Contingent Issuance Agreement

At the end of 20×4, Example Company had not met the condition stated in the contingent issuance agreement of annual income of $2,500,000. Consequently, the agreement should be considered only for fully diluted EPS.

In making the calculation, it is necessary to assume that the income actually reached the stated level, after considering the interest savings that would have been achieved if the bonds had been converted.

The adjustment to the numerator is calculated as follows:

Calculation of Numerator Adjustment

The denominator is increased by 160,000 shares.

Example

Preliminary calculation of EPS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between fully diluted earnings per share and normally diluted earnings per share?

Fully diluted EPS considers all potential shares that are in issue, whether or not they have been issued. These include potentially dilutive securities such as warrants, convertible bonds, options etc., but also take into account contingently issuable shares. Normally diluted EPS only considers those shares actually issued and outstanding. Contingently issuable shares are those that will be issued under specific circumstances such as the sale of a subsidiary etc., at which time they become dilutive. It is important to note that contingently issuable shares can affect both normally and fully diluted EPS, but only actually issued and outstanding shares relate to normally diluted EPS.

How can I calculate net income for the purposes of determining whether an event is a material?

If you are not able to obtain or construct a time series of historical earnings per share, it may be possible to calculate them based on the latest reported quarterly figures. Annualize these by multiplying by four so that you have annual figures. Then, adjust the figures for non-recurring items by taking away any one-time or extraordinary items that are not expected to reoccur in future periods. Add back any income tax effects of these items.

How do I calculate fully diluted EPS if there were no options outstanding at year-end?

If you are calculating fully diluted EPS, the denominator should be increased by all potential shares that are in issue. This means that you need to include future share issues such as contingent shares and convertible securities. In the event that there were no options outstanding at year-end, then convertible securities would be included instead of options in the calculation – i.e. you would add the number of shares that could be issued if those securities were converted to the denominator.

What is a derivative instrument and how is it treated for earnings per share purposes?

A 'derivative instrument' can include convertible debt, options, warrants etc., where their value depends on movements in an underlying asset (for example, share price). When computing fully diluted EPS, these instruments are included in the denominator (in other words, they are treated like any other conversion or exercisable option), unless they meet certain criteria. This is because under IFRS 2 they would otherwise be classified as equity instruments and subject to some complex Accounting Procedures if their terms did not permit them to be converted or exercised.

What is a contingent consideration and how is it treated for earnings per share purposes?

A 'contingent consideration' is an obligation of the company whose value depends on future events, such as the sale of a subsidiary, and may include the potential for additional payments that would increase or decrease depending on the performance of that subsidiary. These are treated like any other potential future issue (e.g. convertible securities), and included in the denominator if their terms do not prevent them from being converted or exercised.

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True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

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®), 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, view his author profile on Amazon, his interview on CBS, or check out his speaker profile on the CFA Institute website.