Emma, Inc. reacquired 166,326 of its shares at $22 per share as treasury stock. Last year, for the first time, Emma sold 37,992 treasury shares at $27 per share. By what amount will Emma's retained earnings decline if it now sells 48,987 treasury shares at $15 per share

The correct answer is $152,949.

Explanation:

According to the scenario, the given data are as follows:

Reacquired shares = 166,326

Per share price = $22

So, we can calculate the retained earning decline by using following formula:

Retained earning decline = Cost of Treasury shares - Sales price - Paid in Capital from stock

Where, Cost of treasury shares = 48,987 * $22 = $1,077,714

Now Sales Price = 48,987 * $15 = $734,805

and Paid in Capital from stock = 37,992 * ($27 - $22) = $189,960

By putting the value in the formula, we get:

Retained earning decline = $1,077,714 - $734,805 - $189,960

= $152,949