Financial ratios & operating efficiency · Specialist
Retention ratio
Also called: plowback ratio
ELI5
Earnings retained after dividends divided by earnings.
Used in conversation
“Keep retention ratio on the dashboard, but show the definition and reporting period beside it.”
Pitch context
You will see “Retention ratio” in financial models, budgets, board packs and investor materials when the discussion reaches financial ratios & operating efficiency.
Why it matters: In financial ratios & operating efficiency, different calculation boundaries, periods or accounting treatments can change the number and the decision.
Caution
Calculation, recognition and disclosure can vary by accounting framework, company policy and reporting context.
Sources & evidence · 5
Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.
- IFRS Foundation — IFRS GlossaryDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Productivity programmeDirect source · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- Financial Accounting Standards Board — FASB Accounting Standards CodificationSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Small Business Administration — Break-even pointSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16
- U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission — Non-GAAP Financial Measures — Compliance and Disclosure InterpretationsSupporting source family · primary · checked 2026-08-16