In: Finance
P14–4Dividend constraints The Howe Company’s stockholders’ equity account follows:
Common stock (400,000 shares at $4 par) | $1,600,000 |
Paid-in capital in excess of par | $1,000,000 |
Retained earnings | $1,900,000 |
Total stockholders’ equity | $4,500,000 |
The earnings available for common stockholders from this period’s operations are $100,000, which have been included as part of the $1.9 million retained earnings.
What is the maximum dividend per share that the firm can pay? (Assume that legal capital includes all paid-in capital.)
If the firm has $160,000 in cash, what is the largest per-share dividend it can pay without borrowing?
Indicate the accounts and changes, if any, that will result if the firm pays the dividends indicated in parts a and b.
Indicate the effects of an $80,000 cash dividend on stockholders’ equity.
Answer a.
Company can pay a maximum dividend of total accumulated profit over the past years i.e., retained earnings.
Maximum dividend = $1,900,000
Number of shares outstanding = 400,000
Maximum dividend per share = Maximum dividend / Number of shares
outstanding
Maximum dividend per share = $1,900,000 / 400,000
Maximum dividend per share = $4.75
The maximum dividend per share that the firm can is $4.75
Answer b.
Company can pay a largest dividend equal to the cash available with it.
Largest dividend = $160,000
Number of shares outstanding = 400,000
Largest dividend per share = Largest dividend / Number of shares
outstanding
Largest dividend per share = $160,000 / 400,000
Largest dividend per share = $0.40
If the firm has $160,000 in cash, the largest per-share dividend it can pay without borrowing is $0.40.
Answer c.
If the firm pays the dividends indicated in part a, cash will
decrease by $1,900,000.
If the firm pays the dividends indicated in part a, retained
earnings will decrease by $1,900,000.
If the firm pays the dividends indicated in part b, cash will
decrease by $160,000.
If the firm pays the dividends indicated in part b, retained
earnings will decrease by $160,000.
Answer d.
Stockholders’ equity will decrease by $80,000 to $1,820,000 ($1,900,000 - $80,000).