Financial Accounting

Large and small stock dividend

Large - more than 20-25 % of currently outstanding shares Small - less than 20-25 % of currently outstanding shares

Earnings Per Share (EPS)

Net Income / Average # of common shares outstanding

Outstanding Shares

Refer to the total number of shares of stock that are owned by stockholders on any particular date Issued Shares - Treasury Stock = Outstanding Shares

Preferred Stock

Stock that has specified rights over common stock

Common Stock

The basic voting stock issued by a corporation.

Payment Date

The date on which a cash dividend is paid to the stockholders of record.

Declaration Date

The date on which the board of directors officially approves a dividend

Record Date

The date on which the corporation prepares the list of current stockholders as shown on its records; dividends can be paid only to the stockholders who own stock on that date.

Current Dividend Preference

The feature of preferred stock that grants priority on preferred dividentd over common stock

Authorized Number of Shares

The maximum number of shares of a corporation's capital stock that can be issued as specified in the charter.

Par Value

The nominal value per share of capital stock specified in the charter; serves as the basis for legal capital.

Legal Capital

The permanent amount of capital defined by state law that must remain invensted in the business; serves as a cushion for creditors.

Cumulative Dividend Preference

The preferred stock feature that requires specified current devidends not paid in full to accumulate for every year in which that are not paid. These cumulative preferred dividends must be paid before any common devidends can be paid.

Common Stock benefits

Voice in management Dividends REsidual claim (portion if company is liquidated)

Stock Dividend

A distribution of additional shares of a corporation's own stock.

Stock Split

An increase in the total number of authorized shares by a specified ration; does not decrease retained earnings

No-Par Value Stock

Capital stock that has no par value specified in the corporate charter.

Dividends in Arrears

Dividends on cumulative preferred stocks that have not been declares in proir years

Pro rata basis

Eash stockholder receives additional shares equal to the % of shares held.

Tresasury Stock

a corporsation's own stock that had been issued but was sabsequently reacquired and is still being held by that corporation.

Issued Shares

represent the total number of shares of stock that have been sold