Question

The outstanding capital stock of Edna Millay Corporation consists of 2,000 shares of $100 par value, 8% preferred, and 5,000 shares of $50 par value common.
Required:
Assuming that the company has retained earnings of $90,000, all of which is to be paid out in dividends, and that preferred dividends were not paid during the 2 years preceding the current year, state how much each class of stock should receive under each of the following conditions.

a. The preferred stock is noncumulative and nonparticipating.
b. The preferred stock is cumulative and nonparticipating.
c. The preferred stock is cumulative and participating.

Answer 1

Answer:

A. The preferred stock is noncumulative and nonparticipating

preferred dividends = $100 x 2,000 x 8% = $16,000

common stocks = $90,000 - $16,000 = $74,000

Preferred dividends not paid to noncumulative preferred stocks are "lost" and will not be paid in the future.

B. The preferred stock is cumulative and nonparticipating.

preferred dividends = ($100 x 2,000 x 8%) x 3 years = $48,000

common stocks = $90,000 - $48,000 = $42,000

C. The preferred stock is cumulative and participating.

preferred dividends = [($100 x 2,000 x 8%) x 2 years] + $25,777.60 = $57,777.60

common stocks = $90,000 - $57,777.60 = $32,222.40

When preferred stocks participate in the company's earnings, they receive an additional revenue proportional to the dividends received by common stockholders.

$32,222.40 / $250,000 (common stocks) = 12.8888%

$200,000 x 12.8888% = $25,777.60