Sarah Wassim currently holds 400 shares of Nutri­Foods. The firm has 40,000 shares outstanding. The firm most recently had earnings avail­ able for common stockholders of US$80,000, and its stock has been selling for US$22 per share. The firm intends to retain its earnings and pay a 10 percent stock dividend.
a. How much does the firm currently earn per share?
b. What proportion of the firm does Sarah currently own?
c. What proportion of the firm will Sarah own after the stock dividend? Explain your answer.
d. At what market price would you expect the stock to sell after the stock dividend?
e. Discuss what effect, if any, the payment of stock dividends will have on Sarah's share of the ownership and earnings of Nutri­Foods.