Since Its Organization in January of 2016, Mars Corp

Multiple Choice

Since its organization in January of 2016, Mars Corp. began with the issuance of 15,000 shares of $5 par, cumulative, 8% preferred stock and 15,000 shares of common stock shares, which are still outstanding. It declared its first dividend of $40,000 at the end of 2018. This means that

A) all of the $40,000 dividends available are paid to the preferred shareholders.
B) all of the $40,000 dividends available are paid to the common shareholders.
C) an equal dollar amount is paid to each class of shareholder.
D) 3 years' worth of dividends will be paid to preferred shareholders prior to paying anything to common shareholders.