Business, finance and operations

Shareholders’ equity

  • Business, finance and operations

Definition

The value left for a company’s owners after all liabilities are subtracted from assets.

Example

Assets of €5m minus liabilities of €3m gives shareholders’ equity of €2m.

For your role

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Why it matters

It shows the owners’ stake in the business.

Where it is used

Balance sheets and investor reports.

How to calculate it

Assets − liabilities

Worked example

Assets of €5m minus liabilities of €3m gives shareholders’ equity of €2m.