Question

Colgate-Palmolive Company reports the following balances in its retained earnings.

($ millions) 2010 2009
Retained earnings $14,329 $13,157
During 2010, Colgate-Palmolive reported net income of $2,200 million.
a. Assume that the only changes affecting retained earnings were net income and dividends. What amount of dividends did Colgate-Palmolive pay to its shareholders in 2010?
b. This dividend amount constituted what percent of its net income? (Round your answer to one decimal place.)

Answer 1

a. $1,028 million

b. 46.7%

Step-by-step explanation:

a. Dividends are taken from the retained earnings and net income is added to the retained earnings. The formula for ending retained earnings is;

Ending retained earnings = Opening Retained earnings + Net Income - Dividends

14,329 = 13,157 + 2,200 - Dividends

Dividends = 13,157 + 2,200 - 14,329

Dividends = $1,028 million

b. Dividends as a percentage of income

= 1,028/2,200

= 0.467

= 46.7%