"retained earnings as though they had distributed them" -- more or less, ARG. textbook retain earnings is after-tax income net dividend distribution to shareholders. since GOOG doesn't pay dividends, "allocation" of earnings per share (undistributed dividend) is an estimate strictly calculated to reconcile tax "benefits" enjoyed by the corp and its investors, created by GOOG compensation structure, and of course keep P/S and P/E (of restricted stock -"options"- and savings) metrics constituting stockholders' equity value inflated. this is some kinda xcel circular reference trap, huh?

gawd bless the GOOG. best search engine EVAHHH. Gonna launch best dark fiber wi-fi and free cartoons and HEVs EVAHHH.

See Income statement and statement of stockholders' equity. Operating costs attributable to "stock-based compensation expense" apart from bareley declared costs of new "stock-based compensation" and CFO repos, i.e. redemption by one of 2,965 common shareholders at any given time.

srsly.

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