Definition:

Shares Outstanding (End Of Period) refers to the total number of shares of a company's stock that are owned by shareholders, including restricted shares owned by the company’s officers and insiders, at the end of a reporting period.

Formula:

Shares Outstanding (End Of Period) = Total Issued Shares - Treasury Shares

How to use the metric:

This metric is used by investors and analysts to calculate key financial ratios such as Earnings Per Share (EPS) and Market Capitalization. It helps in assessing the company's size, ownership structure, and potential for stock dilution.

Limitations:

Shares Outstanding can fluctuate due to stock buybacks, issuance of new shares, or stock splits, which can affect the accuracy of financial ratios over time. It does not provide information on the quality of shares or the company's financial health.

Applies to:

This metric is applicable across all industries as it is a fundamental aspect of corporate finance and equity analysis.

Doesn't apply to:

There are no specific industries where this metric does not apply, as it is relevant to any publicly traded company. However, it may be less relevant for private companies that do not issue public shares.

Summary:

Shares Outstanding (End Of Period) is a crucial metric for understanding a company's equity structure and is widely used in financial analysis to evaluate company performance and value. While it is applicable across industries, its limitations include potential fluctuations that can impact financial analysis.