Earnings per share

Net profit attributable to equity shareholders, divided by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. It converts a company-level profit into a per-share amount so it can be set against a share price.

A company earning ₹615 crore with 50 crore shares outstanding reports an EPS of ₹12.30.

Weighting matters. Shares issued halfway through the year count for half a year. EPS growth and profit growth therefore differ in any year with a fund raise or a buyback.

Two traps are worth naming. Profit attributable to the parent is the right numerator for a consolidated group, so minority interest comes out first. And EPS can rise while the business shrinks, if the share count falls faster than profit does. A buyback-driven EPS increase is a real return to the remaining holders and isn't growth.