The statement of retained earnings or the statement of stockholders' equity reconciles the net income, dividends paid, and the change in retained earnings during a particular year. Which of the following best describes shareholders' equity?
a. Equity is the difference between the paid-in capital and retained earnings.
b. Equity is the sum of what the initial stockholders paid when they bought company shares and the earnings that the company has retained over the years.
NOW Inc. released its annual results and financial statements. Grace is reading the summary in the business pages of today's paper. In its annual report this year, NOW Inc. reported a net income of $160 million. Last year, the company reported a retained earnings balance of $595 million, whereas this year it increased to $700 million. How much was paid out in dividends this year?
a. $265 million
b. $4 million
c. $55 million
d. $280 million

1.

Option B is the correct answer.

2.

Dividends Paid = $55 million. Thus, option C is the correct answer.

Explanation:

1.

The statement about shareholders' equity given in option A that it is the difference between the paid-in capital and retained earnings is incorrect as the retained earnings are a part of the equity of shareholders and are included in the calculation of shareholders' equity. Thus, option B is the correct answer.

2.

The Net Income earned by a company is usually treated in two ways. It is either paid out as dividends to the shareholders or is retained in the business and transferred to the retained earnings account or both. Thus, we can calculate the amount of dividends paid by the following equation.

Closing balance of retained earnings = Opening balance of retained earnings  +  Net Income for the period  -  Dividends Paid

700  =  595  +  160  -  Dividends Paid

700 + Dividends Paid =  755

Dividends Paid = 755 - 700

Dividends Paid = $55 million

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