Rockingham Times

The paper industry’s retained earnings in the fourth quarter of 2020 were down 0.7 percent over the same period last year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

The term “retained earnings” reflects a company’s net income remaining after it pays out dividends to shareholders. The remaining funds can be used for company expansion and other purposes.

The Census Bureau’s Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) presents industry data based on information from about 11,000 corporations. The data comes from income and earnings statements, balance sheets and other records from manufacturers with assets of at least $250,000, the bureau said.

Other statistics come from companies with at least $50 million in assets in mining, wholesale trade, retail, professional and technical services, and information.