Usefulness of Earnings per Share
The overall objective of EPS data is to provide investors with an indication of (1) the value of the firm and (2) expected future dividend. A major theoretical issue surrounding the presentation of EPS is whether this information should be based on historical or forecasted information. Authoritative accounting bodies have generally taken the position that financial information should be based only on historical data. Views formerly expressed by APB Opinion No. 15 and currently contained at FASB ASC 260 are consistent with this trend.