📈Financial Accounting II Unit 4 – Stockholders' Equity: Dividends & Stock Actions

Key Concepts and Definitions

• Stockholders' equity represents the residual interest in a company's assets after deducting liabilities
• Par value is the nominal or face value assigned to a share of stock, typically a small amount (e.g., $0.01 or$1.00)
• Paid-in capital consists of the amount paid by investors for stock that exceeds its par value
  • Additional paid-in capital (APIC) is the excess amount paid over par value for common or preferred stock
• Retained earnings are the cumulative net income earned by a company since its inception, less any dividends paid
• Treasury stock refers to a company's own shares that have been repurchased from shareholders but not retired
  • Treasury stock is recorded at cost and reduces total stockholders' equity
• Book value per share is calculated by dividing total stockholders' equity by the number of outstanding shares
• Earnings per share (EPS) measures the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock

Types of Stock and Ownership

• Common stock represents the basic ownership in a company and entitles holders to voting rights and residual claims on assets and earnings
• Preferred stock provides certain preferences over common stock, such as priority in dividend payments and asset distribution during liquidation
  • Preferred stock may be cumulative (dividends accumulate if not paid) or non-cumulative
  • Preferred stock may be convertible into common stock at a predetermined ratio
• Authorized shares are the maximum number of shares a company is permitted to issue, as stated in its corporate charter
• Issued shares are the total number of shares sold to investors, including shares held by the company as treasury stock
• Outstanding shares are the shares currently held by investors, excluding treasury stock
• Restricted stock units (RSUs) are a form of equity compensation granted to employees, which vest over time and convert into common stock upon vesting

Dividends: Purpose and Types

• Dividends are distributions of a company's earnings to its shareholders, typically in the form of cash or additional shares
• Dividends provide a return to investors and signal a company's financial strength and growth prospects
• Cash dividends are paid in cash and reduce the company's cash balance and retained earnings
  • Special dividends are non-recurring distributions, often larger than regular dividends, paid due to excess cash or significant events
• Stock dividends are paid in the form of additional shares and transfer amounts from retained earnings to paid-in capital accounts
  • Small stock dividends (generally less than 20-25% of outstanding shares) are recorded at fair value
  • Large stock dividends (generally greater than 20-25% of outstanding shares) are recorded at par value
• Property dividends involve the distribution of non-cash assets, such as securities or real estate, to shareholders
• Scrip dividends are promissory notes to pay cash dividends at a future date, often due to temporary cash constraints

Stock Issuance and Repurchases

• Companies issue stock to raise capital for various purposes, such as funding growth, acquisitions, or debt repayment
• Initial public offering (IPO) is the first sale of a company's stock to the public, typically underwritten by investment banks
• Seasoned equity offering (SEO) is the issuance of additional shares by a company that is already publicly traded
• Stock splits increase the number of outstanding shares and proportionately reduce the par value and market price per share
  • Stock splits are often used to improve liquidity and affordability for investors (e.g., 2-for-1 or 3-for-1 splits)
• Reverse stock splits reduce the number of outstanding shares and proportionately increase the par value and market price per share
• Stock repurchases (buybacks) occur when a company buys back its own shares from the market, reducing outstanding shares
  • Repurchases may be motivated by undervaluation, excess cash, or a desire to boost earnings per share

Accounting for Stock Transactions

• Stock issuance is recorded by debiting Cash (or other assets) and crediting Common Stock (par value) and Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par
• Stock repurchases are recorded by debiting Treasury Stock and crediting Cash
  • Treasury stock is a contra-equity account that reduces total stockholders' equity
• When treasury stock is resold, any difference between the selling price and the repurchase cost is recorded in Paid-in Capital from Treasury Stock
• Stock dividends are recorded by debiting Retained Earnings and crediting Common Stock (par value) and Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par
  • The amount transferred from Retained Earnings is based on the fair value (small stock dividends) or par value (large stock dividends) of the shares issued
• Cash dividends are recorded by debiting Retained Earnings and crediting Cash Dividends Payable
  • When paid, Cash Dividends Payable is debited, and Cash is credited

Financial Statement Impact

• Stock issuance increases assets (e.g., cash) and stockholders' equity (common stock and paid-in capital)
• Stock repurchases decrease assets (cash) and stockholders' equity (treasury stock)
  • Repurchases also reduce the number of outstanding shares, which can increase earnings per share
• Stock dividends transfer amounts from retained earnings to paid-in capital accounts, with no net change in total stockholders' equity
  • Stock dividends increase the number of outstanding shares, which can improve liquidity and affordability for investors
• Cash dividends reduce assets (cash) and retained earnings, decreasing total stockholders' equity
• Dividends and stock repurchases provide returns to shareholders but reduce the company's resources for growth and investment
• Stock splits and reverse splits change the number of outstanding shares and the par value per share but do not affect total stockholders' equity

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

• State laws govern the issuance, dividends, and repurchase of stock, including restrictions on sources of distributions
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulates public companies and requires periodic financial reporting and disclosure
  • SEC rules mandate the fair and timely disclosure of material information, including stock transactions and dividend declarations
• Stock exchanges (e.g., NYSE, NASDAQ) impose listing requirements and rules for member companies
• Tax laws impact the treatment of dividends and stock transactions for both the company and its shareholders
  • Qualified dividends are taxed at preferential long-term capital gains rates for individual shareholders
  • Stock repurchases can provide tax advantages over dividends, as they are taxed as capital gains when shares are sold

Real-World Applications and Examples

• Apple Inc. (AAPL) has a history of stock splits, with a 7-for-1 split in 2014 and a 4-for-1 split in 2020, making its shares more accessible to investors
• Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) is known for its high-priced Class A shares, which have never split and traded at over $400,000 per share in 2021
• Microsoft Corporation (MSFT) has consistently paid quarterly dividends since 2003 and has steadily increased its dividend payout over time
• In 2013, Carl Icahn pushed for a $150 billion share buyback at Apple, arguing that the company was undervalued and had excess cash
• During the 2008 financial crisis, many banks, such as JPMorgan Chase & Co. (JPM) and Wells Fargo & Company (WFC), cut or suspended dividends to conserve capital
• In 2015, KKR & Co. Inc. (KKR) completed a $500 million share repurchase program, demonstrating its commitment to returning capital to shareholders