Question

Orbit​ Services, Inc. pays $ 760 ,000 to acquire 30​% ​(200,000 shares) of the voting stock of State​ Investments, Inc. on January​ 5, 2019. State​ Investments, Inc. declares and pays a cash dividend of $ 1.40 per share on June​ 14, 2019. What is the correct journal entry for the transaction on June​ 14, 2019?

Answer 1

since Orbit's investment represents a significant influence (more than 20%) on State, we have to use the equity method for accounting for investments in other companies.

the journal entry to record the initial investment:

January 5, 2019, investment in State​ Investments, Inc.

Dr Investment in State​ Investments, Inc., 760,000

Cr Cash 760,000

When we use the equity method, cash dividends decrease the carrying value of our investments:

June 14, 2019, cash dividend received from State Investments, Inc.

Dr Cash 280,000

Cr Investment in State​ Investments, Inc., 280,000