Question

Crane Company has 900 shares of 4%, $100 par cumulative preferred stock outstanding at December 31, 2018. No dividends have been paid on this stock for 2017 or 2018. Dividends in arrears at December 31, 2018 totala) $400.b) $3600.c) $7200.d) $0.

Answer 1

Answer:

c) $7200

Explanation:

Preference dividends have preference when it comes to payment of dividends.

This means that we pay the Preference Stock holders their dividend (which is fixed) and there after the remainder is paid up to the Common Stockholders

Preference dividend = 900 shares x $100 x 4 % =  $3600

When Preference Stock is Cumulative, it means that all previous dividends in arrears have to be paid up before any current year distributions are made.

2018

Cumulative Preference dividend = $3600 (2017) + $3600 (2018) = $7200

therefore,

Dividends in arrears at December 31, 2018 total $7200