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Multiple Choice
Earnings per share (EPS) should be reported for each of the following income statement captions except:
A
Discontinued operations
B
Net income
C
Gross profit
D
Income from continuing operations
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of Earnings Per Share (EPS): EPS is a financial metric that measures the profitability of a company by dividing its net income by the number of outstanding shares. It is typically reported for key income statement captions to provide investors with insights into the company's performance.
Identify the income statement captions where EPS is commonly reported: EPS is generally reported for Net Income, Income from Continuing Operations, and Discontinued Operations. These captions are significant because they reflect the company's overall profitability and specific components of its operations.
Clarify why EPS is not reported for Gross Profit: Gross Profit represents the difference between sales revenue and the cost of goods sold (COGS). It is an intermediate measure of profitability and does not directly reflect the company's net earnings or comprehensive performance, which is why EPS is not associated with this caption.
Review the purpose of reporting EPS for specific captions: EPS is reported for captions that provide meaningful insights into the company's earnings attributable to shareholders, such as Net Income and Income from Continuing Operations. Discontinued Operations are also included because they represent a separate component of the company's performance.
Conclude that Gross Profit is the correct answer: Since EPS is not reported for Gross Profit, it is the exception among the listed captions. This distinction is important for understanding how EPS is applied in financial reporting.