Question

Art, Inc., has 2,500 shares of 5%, $100 par value, cumulative preferred stock and 20,000 shares of $1 par value common stock outstanding from December 31, 2015 through December 31, 2017. There were no dividends declared in 2015. The board of directors declares and pays a $22,500 dividend in each of years 2016 and 2017. What is the amount of dividends received by the common stockholders in 2017

Answer 1

The amount of dividend received by common stockholders in 2017 = $7500

Step-by-step explanation:

The preference shares are cumulative which means the 2015 dividend on cumulative preference shares will be paid in the next year when dividend is declatred.

The total dividend on preference shjares is = 2500 * 100 * 0.05 = $12500

In 2016 dividend of 22500 is declared and paid.

Out of this 22500, 12500 relates to prefernece dividend for 2015.

The remaining 10000 relates to 2016 preference dividend. Thus, 2500 of 2016 preference dividned is outstanding and will be paid in 2017.

In 2017 out of 22500, 15000 (12500 + 2500) dividendd is paid to preference share holders.

The amount of dividend received by common stockholders in 2017 = 22500 - 15000 = $7500