Question

Assuming the preferred stock is cumulative, compute the amount of dividends to preferred stockholders and to common stockholders for 2018 and 2019 if total dividends are $9,000 in 2018 and $45,000 in 2019. Assume no changes in preferred stock and common stock in 2019. (Assume all preferred dividends have been paid prior to 2018. Complete all input boxes. Enter a "O" for zero amounts. For the current year preferred dividend, be sure to enter the calculated dividend on the "current year dividend" line and the paid out dividend on the "total dividend to preferred stockholders" line.) Northern's 2018 dividend would be divided between preferred and common stockholders in this manner: 9000 Total Dividend 2018 Dividend to preferred stockholders: Dividend in arrears Current year dividend Total dividend to preferred stockholders 8800 (9000) Dividend to common stockholders

Answer 1

Answer:

The first part of the question is missing, so I looked for a similar question. I'm not sure that it is the same, but it can help you understand how to solve it.  

Paid-In Capital:

Preferred Stock—5%, $11 Par Value; 150,000 shares authorized, 20,000 shares issued and outstanding : $220,000

Common Stock—$2 Par Value; 575,000 shares authorized, 380,000 shares issued and outstanding : 760,000

total dividends distributed:

2018: $9,000

2019: $45,000

preferred dividends = $220,000 x 5% = $11,000

Distributed dividends:

2018:

$9,000 in dividends distributed to preferred stockholders, $0.45 per preferred stock.

2019:

$13,000* in dividends distributed to preferred stockholders, $0.65 per preferred stock.

$32,000 in dividends distributed to common stockholders, $0.084 per common stock.

Since preferred dividends are cumulative, if they are not paid off during a certain year, they will have to be paid in the future before any common dividends are distributed.