EC14 Molina Corporation has paid 60 consecutive quarterly cash dividends . The last 6 months, however, have been a cash drain on the company, as profit margins have been greatly narrowed by increasing competition. With a cash balance sufficient to meet only day-to-day operating needs, the president, Rob Lowery, has decided that a stock dividend instead of a cash dividend should be declared.
He tells Molina’s financial vice president, Debbie Oler, to issue a press release stating that the company is extending its consecutive dividend record with the issuance of a 5% stock dividend. “Write the press release convincing the stockholders that the stock dividend is just as good as a cash dividend,” he orders. “Just watch our stock rise when we announce the stock dividend. It must be a good thing if that happens.”
a. Who are the stakeholders in this situation?
b. Is there anything unethical about Lowery’s intentions or actions?
c. What is the effect of a stock dividend on a corporation’s stockholders’ equity accounts? Which would you rather receive as a stockholder—a cash dividend or a stock dividend? Why?
