Question

Marion Inc. has 5,000 shares of 5%, $100 par value, noncumulative preferred stock and 20,000 shares of $1 par value common stock outstanding at December 31, 2015. The board of directors declares and pays a $65,000 dividend in 2015. What is the amount of dividends received by the common stockholders in 2015?

Answer 1

$40,000

Step-by-step explanation:

Holders of preferred stocks are given preference in terms of dividend distribution. However, the amount of dividend that they will share in the $65,000 dividends declared by the board of directors is only limited to 5% of the total par value (5,000 shares x $100 = $500,000) of preferred stocks, which in this case is only $25,000 ($500,000 x 5%). After deducting the dividends for preferred stocks, the remaining dividends of $40,000 ($65,000 - $25,000) will be distributed to holders of common stocks.