What is Shareholder's Equity?

The shareholder's equity comes in the bottom half of the balance sheet and is part of the overall financing of the business. The shareholder's equity is a part of the overall level of capital that finances the net assets.
As well as the shareholder's equity the net assets may be financed by:

•Retained profit & reserves

•Loans & debentures

There may also be other more detailed sources of capital shown on a balance sheet. These may include the "share premium account". This is where the shares are issued at above their face value. The amount raised from the sale of shares is then split into two - the share capital (the face value of all the shares) and the share premium account (the surplus over and above the face value).

The shareholder's equity may also be known as the equity capital. The reward to the shareholders for investing this money in the business is a share of the profit - a dividend . The amount of the dividend clearly depends on the profitability of the business.