CompanyGraph
Records the par or stated value of issued shares on the balance sheet, exposing the nominal equity base separate from retained earnings and additional paid-in capital.
Common stock (book) reflects the value of shares issued to investors recorded at their accounting value, not market price. It forms part of shareholders' equity.
Common stock (book) reflects the value of shares issued to investors recorded at their accounting value, not market price. It forms part of shareholders' equity.
Components of common stock book value:
- Par value: Nominal value assigned to shares (often minimal, like $0.01)
- Additional paid-in capital: Amount paid above par value when shares were issued
The calculation:
Common Stock (Book) = Par Value × Shares Issued + Additional Paid-in Capital
Why book value matters:
- Equity foundation: Represents capital originally invested by shareholders
- Historical record: Shows cumulative equity issuances over time
- Balance sheet component: Part of total shareholders' equity
- Dilution tracking: Changes indicate new share issuances
Book vs. market value:
- Book value: Historical cost of equity raised; rarely changes after issuance
- Market value: Current share price times shares outstanding; fluctuates constantly
- Price-to-book ratio: Compares market value to book value per share
Analysis considerations:
- Share issuances: Increases in common stock mean new shares were sold
- Stock-based compensation: Option exercises add to common stock
- Par value irrelevance: Modern par values are usually nominal and uninformative
How it relates
Common Stock (Book)+Retained EarningsRetained earnings are the accumulated profits the company has kept rather than paid out as dividends. They show how much profit has been reinvested back into the business over time.−Treasury StockTreasury stock is the value of the company's own shares it has bought back and holds instead of cancelling. It reduces total equity and indicates past share repurchases.=Total Shareholders' EquityTotal shareholders' equity is the residual value of the company after all liabilities are subtracted from assets. It represents the book value belonging to the company's owners.