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Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements regarding stock dividends is false?
A
Stock dividends distribute additional shares to existing shareholders.
B
Stock dividends do not affect the total assets of a company.
C
Stock dividends increase the total stockholders' equity of a company.
D
Stock dividends reduce the retained earnings account.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of stock dividends: Stock dividends are a distribution of additional shares to existing shareholders, typically expressed as a percentage of the shares they already own. They do not involve cash payments and do not affect the company's total assets.
Analyze the impact of stock dividends on retained earnings: When stock dividends are issued, the retained earnings account is reduced by the fair market value of the shares distributed. This is because retained earnings are reclassified into paid-in capital accounts.
Examine the effect on total stockholders' equity: Stock dividends do not increase or decrease the total stockholders' equity. Instead, they redistribute equity within the accounts, moving amounts from retained earnings to paid-in capital.
Evaluate the statement 'Stock dividends increase the total stockholders' equity of a company': This statement is false because stock dividends do not change the total stockholders' equity; they only reallocate amounts within equity accounts.
Confirm the correct answer: Based on the analysis, the false statement is 'Stock dividends increase the total stockholders' equity of a company,' as stock dividends do not affect the total stockholders' equity.