The shareholders’ equity accounts of Blue Bay Logistics Ltd. on April 1, 2020, the beginning of the fiscal year, are as follows:

$6 cumulative preferred shares (20,000 issued) ............. $1,800,000
Common shares (500,000 issued) ....................................... 3,750,000
Retained earnings ................................................................. 1,550,000
Total shareholders’ equity ................................................. $7,100,000

During the year, the following transactions occurred:

2020

June 1 Reacquired 12,000 common shares for $9 per share.

July 1 Issued 50,000 common shares for $10 per share.

Sept. 30 Reacquired 8,000 common shares for $9.50 per share.

2021

Jan. 31 Issued 60,000 common shares in exchange for land. The land’s fair value was $600,000.

Mar. 31 Profit for the year ended March 31, 2021, was $973,600.

Instructions

a. Calculate the weighted average number of common shares for the year.

b. Assuming the preferred share dividends are one year in arrears, calculate the earnings per share if no preferred dividends are declared during the year.

c. What is the total number of common shares issued on March 31, 2021?

Taking It Further

Why is earnings per share an important measure for common shareholders but not for preferred shareholders?