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Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. [AJG:NYSE]
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Understanding the Game:

You're a fan of a soccer team, and you're tracking the performance of a star player over several seasons. Each season, the number of goals the player scores represents their "earnings." Now, think of each goal as a unit of profit for a company. EPS (Earnings Per Share) Growth is like measuring how much the player's goal-scoring rate increases every year.

Earnings Per Share (EPS): This is like the average number of goals scored per season by the player. In business, EPS is the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock, showing how much money each share makes.

Growth: You observe that the player's goals have been increasing each season – from 5 goals in the first season to 8, then 12 in subsequent seasons. Similarly, EPS growth looks at how much the earnings per share of a company increase over time.

EPS Growth Calculation: To calculate the growth rate, you look at the increase in goals scored each season. If the player's goals increased from 5 to 12 over three seasons, you calculate the percentage growth of goals per season. In business, EPS growth is calculated similarly, showing how much the earnings per share have increased from one year to the next.

This growth rate is important for fans (or investors) as it shows the player's (or company’s) improving performance. Just as you'd be excited to see a player's goals increase every season, investors are keen on seeing a company's EPS grow, indicating the business is becoming more profitable and, potentially, a better investment.