Question

Graphic Designs has 68,000 shares of cumulative preferred stock outstanding. Preferred shareholders are supposed to be paid $1.60 per quarter per share in dividends. However, the firm has encountered financial problems and has not paid any dividends for the past three quarters. How much will the firm have to pay per share of preferred next quarter if the firm also wishes to pay a common stock dividend?

Answer 1

Answer:

Graphic Designs

The firm will have to pay $6.40 per share next quarter.

Explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Number of cumulative preferred stock outstanding = 68,000

Preferred dividends per share = $1.60 per quarter

For four quarters, the preferred dividends per share = $6.40 ($1.60 * 4)

b) This will take care of the past three quarters that have accumulated and the fourth quarter.  Note that when a company wishes to pay a common stock dividend, it must pay the cumulative preferred dividends first, no matter the length of period that the dividends have accumulated.