Novak Corp. has 7400 shares of 6%, $50 par value, cumulative preferred stock and 148000 shares of $1 par value common stock outstanding at December 31, 2020, and December 31, 2019. The board of directors declared and paid a $14000 dividend in 2019. In 2020, $70000 of dividends are declared and paid. What are the dividends received by the preferred stockholders in 2020?

The dividends received by the preferred stockholders in 2020 are $30400.

Explanation:

The cumulative preferred stock is the form of preferred stock that accumulates or accrues dividends in case the company does not pay or partially pay dividends to preferred stock in a particular year. This means that the dividends are accrued and the company will need to pay these dividends first in the future whenever it declares dividends.

The total dividends per year on preferred stock is,

Preferred Stock dividends = 50 * 0.06 * 7400 = $22200 per year

The preferred stock dividend that was accrued at the end of 2019 after the dividend payment of $14000 is,

Accrued dividends - Preferred stock = 22200 - 14000 = $8200

In 2020 the company will need to pay this accrued dividend along with the dividend for 2020 on preferred stock. Thus, in 2020 the preferred stock holders will receive dividends of,

Preferred stock dividend to be paid in 2020 = 8200 + 22200 = $30400