A company's issued share capital throughout an accounting period consists of 500,000 common shares of 20 cent each and 100,000 preference shares of $1. If net income after tax for the period is $160,000 and the preference dividend is $10,000 then the basic EPS for the period is: a. $0.30 b. $0.33 c. $0.31 d. $0.32

a. $0.30

Explanation:

Basic Earning Per Share (BEPS) = Earnings Attributable to Holders of Common Stock ÷ Weighted Average Number of Common Stock.

Earnings Attributable to Holders of Common Stock calculation :

Net income after tax for the period                            $160,000

Less Preference Dividend                                           ($10,000)

Earnings Attributable to Holders of Common Stock $150,000

Weighted Average Number of Common Stock calculation :

Outstanding common shares                                      500,000

Therefore,

Basic Earning Per Share (BEPS) = $150,000 ÷ 500,000

                                                     = $0.30

answer; is usually (less than) the socially optimal level of consumption;