Retention Ratio Calculator

Welcome to the Retention Ratio Calculator, a comprehensive financial analysis tool that calculates the retention ratio (also known as the plowback ratio) with step-by-step formula breakdown, interactive earnings allocation visualization, business strategy interpretation, and industry benchmark comparisons. Whether you are analyzing corporate financial statements, evaluating investment opportunities, or studying corporate finance, this calculator provides professional-grade analysis.

What is the Retention Ratio?

The retention ratio, also called the plowback ratio or retention rate, measures the percentage of a company's net income that is retained for reinvestment in the business rather than distributed to shareholders as dividends. It is a key metric for understanding a company's growth strategy and capital allocation decisions.

The retention ratio is the complement of the dividend payout ratio - together they always sum to 100%. A high retention ratio indicates aggressive reinvestment in growth, while a low ratio suggests a focus on returning capital to shareholders.

Retention Ratio Formula

Where:

• Net Income = Total profit after all expenses, taxes, and interest
• Dividends = Total cash dividends distributed to shareholders
• Retained Earnings = Net Income minus Dividends

How to Use This Calculator

1. Enter Net Income: Input the company's net income (profit after tax) from the income statement. Use the quick examples for common scenarios.
2. Enter Dividends Paid: Input the total dividends distributed to shareholders during the same period.
3. Select Precision: Choose how many decimal places to display in your results.
4. Calculate: Click the button to see the retention ratio, visual breakdown, step-by-step calculation, and business interpretation.

Understanding Your Results

Key Metrics Explained

• Retention Ratio: The percentage of earnings retained for reinvestment (main result)
• Dividend Payout Ratio: The complementary percentage distributed as dividends
• Retained Earnings: The dollar amount kept by the company
• Strategy Interpretation: What your ratio suggests about the company's priorities

Interpreting Retention Ratio Levels

Industry Benchmarks

Retention ratios vary significantly by industry based on growth opportunities and regulatory requirements:

Retention Ratio in Financial Analysis

Sustainable Growth Rate

The retention ratio is crucial for calculating a company's sustainable growth rate (SGR):

This formula shows the maximum growth rate a company can achieve without raising external capital. Higher retention enables faster sustainable growth, assuming returns on reinvested capital remain attractive.

Dividend Policy Analysis

Companies adjust retention ratios based on:

• Growth opportunities: More investment opportunities → higher retention
• Cash needs: Capital expenditure requirements and debt repayment
• Shareholder expectations: Income investors prefer lower retention (more dividends)
• Tax considerations: Capital gains vs. dividend tax treatment
• Signaling: Dividend changes signal management's confidence

Valuation Implications

In dividend discount models (DDM), the retention ratio affects growth assumptions:

• High retention → Higher expected growth but lower current income
• Low retention → Lower expected growth but higher dividend yield
• Value depends on whether reinvested earnings generate returns above the cost of capital

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the retention ratio?

The retention ratio, also known as the plowback ratio or retention rate, measures the percentage of a company's net income that is retained for reinvestment in the business rather than distributed to shareholders as dividends. It is calculated as: Retention Ratio = (Net Income - Dividends) / Net Income, or equivalently, Retention Ratio = 1 - Dividend Payout Ratio.

What is a good retention ratio?

A "good" retention ratio depends on the company's growth stage and industry. Growth companies typically have high retention ratios (70-100%) to fund expansion. Mature companies often have lower ratios (30-50%) as they return more cash to shareholders. REITs must distribute at least 90% of income, resulting in very low retention ratios. The optimal ratio balances growth investment needs with shareholder return expectations.

How is retention ratio different from dividend payout ratio?

The retention ratio and dividend payout ratio are complementary metrics that always sum to 100%. The retention ratio measures the percentage of earnings kept for reinvestment, while the dividend payout ratio measures the percentage distributed to shareholders. If a company has a 60% retention ratio, its dividend payout ratio is 40%.

Why do growth companies have high retention ratios?

Growth companies typically have high retention ratios because they need capital to fund expansion, research and development, acquisitions, and market penetration. By retaining earnings rather than paying dividends, these companies can reinvest in opportunities that may generate higher returns than shareholders could achieve elsewhere. Companies like Amazon historically retained nearly 100% of earnings during their growth phase.

How does retention ratio affect stock valuation?

Retention ratio affects stock valuation through the sustainable growth rate formula: g = ROE × Retention Ratio. A higher retention ratio can lead to faster earnings growth if the company earns good returns on reinvested capital. However, if returns on retained earnings are poor, a lower retention ratio (higher dividends) might create more shareholder value. Investors use this metric in dividend discount models and growth projections.

Related Financial Tools

• Dividend Payout Ratio Calculator - Calculate the complement of retention ratio
• Return on Equity (ROE) Calculator - Measure profitability on shareholder equity
• Net Profit Margin Calculator - Analyze profitability ratios

External References

• Plowback Ratio - Wikipedia
• Dividend Payout Ratio - Wikipedia
• Plowback Ratio - Investopedia