reserve for contingencies

Reserve for Contingencies

A company's retained earnings that are not reinvested but set aside to protect against future losses. A company may set up a reserve for contingencies when it is performing well to guard against the risk that it may eventually perform poorly. A reserve for contingencies allows a company to maintain its operations smoothly even when it has suffered an operating loss.

reserve for contingencies

A part of retained earnings that are set aside for potential future losses. For example, a firm may establish a reserve account to cover the possibility of losing a lawsuit to which it is a party.