Top Treasury Stocks in India (2025): Meaning, Features and Market Impact
Treasury stock is shares of a company that have been repurchased by the company and held in its treasury. Although treasury stocks might not be as popular as other types of stocks, they play an essential role in the financial management of companies. This blog will examine what treasury shares are, why companies repurchase them, and how they affect financial statements. Moreover, we will also tell you how you can invest in the share market via smallcase.
What are Treasury Stocks?
Treasury shares, also known as “reacquired shares,” are stocks that a company has previously issued and then repurchased. These shares are kept in the company’s treasury rather than being retired, meaning they are not available for public trading. Companies can acquire treasury stock for various purposes and through multiple methods, such as open market purchases or employee stock option plans (ESOPs).
What is the Treasury Stock Method?
The treasury stock method is a way of calculating the impact of dilutive securities. This may include stock options, warrants, and convertible securities on the earnings per share (EPS) of a company.
The method assumes that the proceeds from the exercise of these securities are used to repurchase shares of the company’s own stock in the open market which are then held as treasury stocks.
The number of additional shares that can be purchased with the proceeds from the dilutive securities is determined by dividing the proceeds by the average market price of the company’s stock during the reporting period. Thus, this additional number of shares is added to the outstanding shares for the EPS calculation.
Here is the Treasury Stock Method formula:
Additional Shares Outstanding = [Gross “In-the-Money” Dilutive Securities] – [Repurchased Shares]
*Additional shares outstanding = n – (n x K / P)
*Additional shares outstanding = n x (1 – K / P)
Where:
- Repurchased Shares = option proceeds
- n = shares from exercised options and warrants
- K = average exercise share price (strike price)
- P = Average share price for the reporting period
Furthermore, companies widely use the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of dilutive securities on EPS in their financial reports.
Features of Treasury Stocks in India
Let’s have a look at the treasury shares down below:
- No Voting Rights: Treasury shares may not vote on company matters, reducing the influence of major shareholders.
- No Dividend Payments: Treasury shares may not receive dividends, impacting overall shareholder income.
- Not Included in EPS: Treasury shares are not included in the calculation of earnings per share (EPS). Thus, this might be increasing EPS for remaining shares.
- Reduce Equity: Treasury stocks reduce shareholders’ equity, impacting financial ratios like debt-to-equity.
- Company Discretion: The company decides whether to hold, resell, or reissue treasury shares.
- Strategic Flexibility: Holding treasury stocks can offer flexibility for future needs like acquisitions, employee stock options, or market stabilisation.
What is the Cost Method of Treasury Stock?
The cost method of treasury stock for accounting involves recording treasury stock at its cost of acquisition and making necessary adjustments to reflect changes in the company’s equity accounts.
This method accounts for treasury stock purchases that are made with cash and are recorded at the time of purchase. Treasury stock is a contra-equity account under the cost method. Its debit amount is deducted from the overall equity of the company to determine the net equity balance.
The cost method is simple to use and provides a clear picture of the company’s equity position, making it a popular choice for many businesses.
How are Treasury Stocks Acquired?
A few ways to acquire treasury shares are as follows:
Purchase through the Open Market
The most common method to acquire treasury stock is to purchase them from the open market. Where a company buys back its own shares from the public. This allows the company to control the number of outstanding shares and boost the value of the remaining shares.
Purchase through Tender Offer
Another way to acquire treasury stock is through a tender offer. Where a company offers to purchase shares directly from its shareholders at a premium price. Therefore, this can be a way for a company to quickly acquire a large number of shares and consolidate ownership.
Purchase through Employee Stock Options Plan (ESOPs)
Companies also acquire treasury stock through employee stock option plans (ESOPs). In this case, the company issues stock options to its employees. When the employees exercise those options, the company purchases shares on the open market to fulfil the option.
Reasons for Acquiring Treasury Stocks
Acquiring treasury stocks is a common practice for companies for various reasons, including:
Boosting Stock Prices
Companies may buy back of shares problems and solutions to increase demand for their stock and thereby boost their stock prices.
Preventing Hostile Takeovers
When a company acquires a significant number of its shares, it reduces the number of shares available for purchase by other entities. Thus, this makes it more difficult for a hostile takeover to occur.
Compensating Employees
Companies may use treasury stock to compensate employees in their employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs).
Providing Liquidity for Stockholders
Buying back shares will reduce the number of shares available for trading in the open market. This can increase the value of the remaining shares. Additionally, provides liquidity for existing stockholders who may want to sell their shares.
Limitations of Treasury Shares
Let’s have a look at the limitations of treasury shares down below.
- No voting privileges
- Ineligible to receive dividends
- Excluded from the computation of outstanding shares
- Unable to exercise preemptive rights as a shareholder
- Not eligible to receive net assets if the company undergoes liquidation
- Certain countries regulate the quantity of treasury stocks held by companies, ensuring that the total treasury stock does not surpass the maximum proportion of capitalization stipulated by law.
Impact of Treasury Stocks on Financial Statements
Treasury stock has a significant impact on the financial statements of a company. This includes the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
Balance Sheet
A treasury stock in balance sheet is reported as reducing the total shareholders’ equity. Deducting the cost of acquiring treasury stock contributes to the reduction in total shareholders’ equity. This results in a decrease in the company’s net worth.
Because the balance sheet considers treasury stock as a decrease in the count of outstanding shares, it consequently diminishes the company’s ownership.
Income Statement
On the income statement, treasury stocks do not have a direct impact on the revenue or expenses of the company. However, if the company opts to resell the treasury stocks, it will record any gains or losses from the sale in the income statement as a non-operating item.
Cash Flow Statement
The financing activities section records the acquisition of treasury shares as a cash outflow. Thus, the sale of treasury stocks, on the other hand, is recorded as a cash inflow in the financing activities section.
Is Treasury Stock an Asset?
On a balance sheet, treasury stock is recorded in the equity section as a contra-equity account, meaning it reduces total shareholders’ equity. It is typically listed as a negative amount under “Shareholders’ Equity” or “Equity Capital.” Treasury stock reflects the cost of shares repurchased by the company, not their current market value.
Are Dividends Paid on Treasury Stocks?
No, companies do not pay dividends on treasury stocks. Since the company owns these stocks, it cannot receive dividends on them. Additionally, paying dividends on treasury stock would essentially be transferring money from one account to another within the same company, which does not make sense. Therefore, companies do not pay dividends on treasury stock.
Difference Between Cash Dividends and Treasury Stocks Purchases
Cash dividends and treasury stock purchases are two separate actions that a company takes. Cash dividends are a distribution of profits to shareholders, typically paid out in cash. Treasury stock purchases, on the other hand, involve a company buying back its own shares on the open market or through other means.
Factors to Consider Before Investing in Treasury Stocks in India
- Regulatory Restrictions: In India, companies are not allowed to hold treasury stocks indefinitely. Any shares repurchased as part of a buyback are usually cancelled or need to comply with SEBI regulations. Understanding these rules is crucial.
- Purpose of Buyback: Evaluate the company’s reason for repurchasing shares. A buyback could signal confidence in future growth or be aimed at improving financial ratios like earnings per share (EPS).
- Financial Stability: Assess whether the buyback aligns with the company’s financial health. Excessive buybacks funded by debt may indicate poor cash flow management.
- Impact on Share Value: Buybacks often reduce the number of outstanding shares, potentially increasing the stock price. Analyse whether this aligns with your investment goals.
- Market Sentiment: Understand how the buyback might influence investor confidence. Sometimes, buybacks are used to stabilise falling share prices rather than a genuine belief in undervaluation.
To Wrap It Up…
Treasury stock can be an important tool for companies to manage their finances and achieve their strategic goals. Thus, these stocks help boost stock prices, prevent hostile takeovers, compensate employees, and provide liquidity for stockholders. Moreover, investing in the stock market via smallcase can be a convenient and cost-effective way for you to gain exposure to a diversified portfolio of stocks. As always, investors must do their own research and/or consult their financial advisor before investing.
Frequently Asked Questions About Treasury Stocks
Treasury stock, also known as treasury shares, refers to shares that a company has issued but subsequently repurchased from its shareholders. The company itself holds these shares and are not considered outstanding in the market.
A treasury account manages the financial resources of an organisation, including funds, assets, and investments.
Piecemeal distribution of cash means distributing available funds gradually, often in stages, instead of a single lump sum.
The cancellation of treasury shares means permanently removing them from a company’s issued capital, reducing the total number of shares outstanding.
Investing in treasury stocks directly is not possible, as they are shares repurchased by the issuing company and are not publicly traded. However, you can indirectly benefit by investing in the company itself, as treasury stock buybacks often signal confidence in growth, potentially boosting share value and financial performance.
Investors should not directly invest in treasury stocks, as they are repurchased and held by the issuing company. However, individuals may benefit indirectly through improved financial metrics, such as earnings per share (EPS), resulting from share buybacks. Treasury stocks are ideal for companies aiming to optimise capital structure or reward shareholders.
Treasury stock is not an asset; it is a contra-equity account. It represents shares repurchased by the company, reducing total shareholders’ equity. Treasury stock is recorded as a negative value in the equity section of the balance sheet, reflecting the funds used for the buyback.
A buyback of shares refers to the process where a company repurchases its own shares from the market, typically to reduce the number of outstanding shares, boost earnings per share (EPS), increase shareholder value, or consolidate ownership. It can be done through open market purchases or tender offers.
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