Which of the following terms describes the portion of earnings not distributed to shareholders?

The term that describes the portion of earnings not distributed to shareholders is retained earnings. Retained earnings represent the cumulative amount of net income that a company retains for reinvestment in the business or to pay off debt, rather than distributing it as dividends to shareholders. This retention allows companies to leverage their profits for growth opportunities, research and development, or maintaining operational stability.

Retained earnings are an important aspect of a company's financial health, reflecting how much profit is reinvested back into the business over time. It is typically reported in the equity section of the balance sheet and is crucial for assessing a company's long-term viability and growth potential.

In contrast, distributed earnings refers specifically to amounts given to shareholders as dividends, and available cash and shareholder equity represent different financial concepts related to a company's liquidity and overall ownership structure, respectively. Therefore, retained earnings most accurately captures the essence of earnings that are kept in the company rather than distributed.