Final answer:
When the number of common shares outstanding has changed during the year, net income is divided by the weighted-average shares outstanding of both common and preferred. Option a
Step-by-step explanation:
When the number of common shares outstanding has changed during the year, net income is divided by the weighted-average shares outstanding of both common and preferred.
This calculation is used to determine the earnings per share (EPS), which is a financial metric that shows the portion of a company's profit allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. By using the weighted-average shares outstanding, we account for any changes in the number of shares throughout the year.
Dividing the net income by the weighted-average shares outstanding of both common and preferred gives us an indication of how much profit is generated per share, allowing investors to compare the profitability of different companies. Option a