
However, there can be instances when a project or business unit has failed the test for return on investment due to the low rate of return but has cleared the test for residual income on the back of nominal positive dollar value, which can be very tricky and requires management call. As such, the higher the residual income, the better it is considered by the company. A positive residual incomes implies that the unit has been able to generate more return than the minimum required rate, which is desirable. It is important to understand the concept of residual income because it is usually used in the performance assessment of capital investment, department or business unit. Residual Income = Operating Income – Minimum Required Rate of Return * Average Operating Assets Relevance and Uses of Residual Income Formula Residual Income = Operating Income – Minimum Required Income Step 5: Finally, the formula for residual income can be derived by deducting the minimum required income (step 3) from the operating income (step 4) as shown below. Step 4: Next, determine the operating income of the company which is an income statement item. Minimum Required Income = Minimum Required Rate of Return * Average Operating Assets Step 3: Next, calculate the minimum required income based on the minimum required rate of return (step 1) and the average operating assets (step 2) as shown below. In most cases, the average of the value of the operating assets at the beginning of the year and at the end of the year is used. Step 2: Next, determine the operating assets or the total capital employed by the company in the operations. In fact, most cases companies use the cost of capital as the minimum required rate of return. Step 1: Firstly, determine the minimum required rate of return expected by the investor based on their investment strategy, risk appetite, investment horizon, and current market return. The formula for residual income can be calculated by using the following steps: Therefore, the company is able to generate a residual income of $16,250 during the year. Calculate whether the unit is able to generate any residual income during the year.Īverage Operating Assets is calculated as

As per the corporate strategy, the minimum required rate of return from the unit is 15%. During the year, the unit generated operating income of $50,000. The value of operating assets of the unit is $200,000 at the beginning of the year and $250,000 at the end of the year. Let us take the example of a company which has recently acquired a new unit as a diversification of its existing operation. Therefore, the residual income of the company during the year is $20,000. Residual Income of the company is calculated using the formula given below Calculate the residual income of the company during the year.


The company has an operating asset base of $500,000, while the cost of capital is 12% as per the latest annual report. Let us take the example of a company with operating income during the current year of $80,000.

Therefore, the residual income of the investment center stood at $100,000. Residual Income = Operating Income – Minimum Required Rate of Return * Average Operating Assets Residual Income is calculated using the formula given below
