Answer:
Cumulative Preferred Stock must always pay out Dividends and when they cannot, the amount unpaid will be accrued for payment to another year when it can be paid.
When Dividends are declared, Preference Shareholders are paid first and then common shareholders follow.
Year 1
Preference Shares = Number of shares * Par value * %
= 15,000 * 50 * 2%
= $15,000
Common Shareholders will get the rest;
= 30,000 - 15,000
= $15,000
Year 2.
Preference Shareholders are still due $15,000 however only $12,000 is available. They will take all of it and be owed $3,000.
Preference Shares, Year 2 = $12,000
Common Shareholders get nothing.
Year 3.
Preference Shareholders are owed $15,000 for the year. They are also owed $3,000 from the previous year.
Preference Shares = 15,000 + 3,000
= $18,000
Common Shareholders will get the remainder;
= 45,000 - 18,000
= $27,000
