retained earnings
nounUK /rɪˈteɪnd ˈɜːnɪŋz/
US /rɪˈteɪnd ˈɝːnɪŋz/
Money a company keeps instead of giving it to owners.
The company used its retained earnings to buy new machines.
RELATED WORDS
OTHER MEANINGS
2. Profits kept in the business after dividends are paid.
Retained earnings grew steadily over the last five years.
3. The part of a company's equity that comes from past profits.
Retained earnings appear in the shareholders' equity section.
4. Money saved inside a company for future growth.
They tapped retained earnings to fund the expansion.