Chapter 15, Problem 1P

Louisiana Timber Company currently has 5 million shares of stock outstanding and will report earnings of $\$$ 9 million in the current year. The company is considering the issuance of 1 million additional shares that will net $\$$ 40 per share to the corporation.

a. What is the immediate dilution potential for this new stock issue?

b. Assume the Louisiana Timber Company can earn 11 percent on the proceeds of the stock issue in time to include it in the current year’s results. Should the new issue be undertaken based on earnings per share?