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Retention Ratio (Plowback) Calculator

The share of profit kept in the business, the payout ratio as its exact complement, and the sustainable growth rate g = ROE × retention.

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Open Retention Ratio (Plowback) Calculator and you get an answer straight away, with no account to create. It sits under Savings & budgeting in our catalogue, alongside Acid-Test (Quick) Ratio Calculator and Equity Ratio Calculator.

How to use it

  1. Open the tool — no signup or install needed.
  2. Enter your input or adjust the available options.
  3. Get your result instantly, then copy or download it.

Frequently asked questions

What does Retention Ratio (Plowback) Calculator do?

The share of profit kept in the business, the payout ratio as its exact complement, and the sustainable growth rate g = ROE × retention.

When would I actually use this?

Planning a deposit, a safety net or a large purchase: how much to put aside each month, and how long a target takes at a given rate.

What is the most common mistake?

Reading a nominal rate as if it were real. Inflation is subtracted from the return, not from the capital, so a 3% account during 4% inflation loses purchasing power every year.

How is Retention Ratio (Plowback) Calculator different from Acid-Test (Quick) Ratio Calculator?

They sit next to each other but answer different questions: Acid-Test (Quick) Ratio Calculator is the one to open when you need it to add cash, securities and receivables, divide by current liabilities, and see exactly what excluding inventory and prepaid expenses costs the ratio. Pick whichever matches what you're starting from — both are free.

Is there a tool for the next step?

Equity Ratio Calculator is the closest one after this: Equity divided by total assets, with the complementary debt ratio, the equity multiplier and a clear reading when equity is negative.

What else is worth having open alongside it?

Goodwill to Assets Ratio Calculator and Dividend Payout Ratio Calculator — they come up in the same task often enough to be worth a second tab.

Where do the figures come from?

Compound interest is arithmetic, so the maths is exact for the rate you enter. Real accounts vary in compounding frequency, tax treatment and whether interest is credited before or after a deposit.

Further reading

All guides →
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