Question

Which of the following actions are most likely to directly increase cash as shown on a firm’s balance sheet? Select the appropriate assumptions that underlie your answer.

1. It issues $8 million of new common stock.
2. It buys new plant and equipment at a cost of $3 million.
3. It reports a large loss for the year.
4. It increases the dividends paid on its common stock.

1. Statements (b) and (d) will increase the amount of cash on a company's balance sheet. Statement (a) will decrease cash through the sale of common stock. Selling stock uses cash from financing activities. On one hand, Statement (c) would decrease cash; however, it is also possible that Statement (c) would increase cash, if the firm receives a tax refund for taxes paid in a prior year.
2. Statements (b) and (d) will increase the amount of cash on a company's balance sheet. Statement (a) will increase cash through the sale of common stock. Selling stock provides cash through financing activities. On one hand, Statement (c) would decrease cash; however, it is also possible that Statement (c) would increase cash, if the firm receives a tax refund for taxes paid in a prior year.
3. Statements (b) and (d) will decrease the amount of cash on a company's balance sheet. Statement (a) will increase cash through the sale of common stock. Selling stock provides cash through financing activities. On one hand, Statement (c) would decrease cash; however, it is also possible that Statement (c) would increase cash, if the firm receives a tax refund for taxes paid in a prior year.
4. Statements (b) and (d) will decrease the amount of cash on a company's balance sheet. Statement (a) will decrease cash through the sale of common stock. Selling stock uses cash from financing activities. On one hand, Statement (c) would decrease cash; however, it is also possible that Statement (c) would increase cash, if the firm receives a tax refund for taxes paid in a prior year.
5. Statements (b) and (d) will decrease the amount of cash on a company's balance sheet. Statement (a) will increase cash through the sale of common stock. Selling stock provides cash through financing activities. Statement (c) would neither increase or decrease cash for taxes paid in a prior year.

select

Answer 1

III is the correct option.

Statements (b) and (d) will decrease the amount of cash on a company's balance sheet. This is because payment of dividends and purchase of assets always involve a cash outflows.

Statement (a) will increase cash through the sale of common stock. Selling stock provides cash through financing activities.

On one hand, Statement (c) would decrease cash; however, it is also possible that Statement (c) would increase cash, if the firm receives a tax refund for taxes paid in a prior year.