Concept · C:participating-security

Participating security

Working definition

A security or award with rights to dividends or undistributed earnings that require allocation under the two-class method when Topic 260's conditions are met.

On this page
  1. Apply it
  2. Keep the boundary clear
  3. Authority

Participating security belongs in a reconciled numerator-and-denominator workpaper. A participating security has rights to dividends or undistributed earnings that require an allocation under the two-class method. Read the contract for current-period participation, including nonforfeitable dividend or dividend-equivalent rights on awards.

Apply it

An unvested award receives nonforfeitable dividends whenever common shares receive them. Those rights can make the award a participating security even though its shares have not vested or entered the basic denominator.

Review participating security against participating preferred stock. Reconcile participating security to two class method, the dated participating security evidence, and its final presentation.

The participating security record ties participating preferred stock to its source date, measured amount, and two class method effect.

Keep the boundary clear

A security's title, convertibility, or preferred status does not settle participation. The enforceable distribution rights do, and loss allocation depends on the contract's obligations.

Authority

Read ASC 260-10-45-60A for including all participating securities in basic EPS.

Learning objectives

Put the concept to work

Learning level

Apply this concept

  • Explain and apply participating security within a reconciled numerator-and-denominator workpaper using supplied authoritative facts.

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Use this idea next

  • Two-class method — Apply

    Required level here: apply. Required. This earlier step supplies an input required by the EPS workpaper.

Updated Sep 11, 2026 Review due Dec 11, 2026