On its 2008 balance sheet, Sherman Books showed a balance of retained earnings equal to $510 million. On its 2009 balance sheet, the balance of retained earnings was also equal to $510 million. Which of the following statements is most correct?

a. The company must have had net income equal to zero in 2009.

b. The company did not pay a dividend in 2009.

c. If the company's net income in 2009 was $200 million, dividends paid must have also equaled $200 million.

d. If the company lost money in 2009, they must have paid a dividend.

e. None of the statements above is correct.

a. The company must have had net income equal to zero in 2009.

Explanation:

If on its 2008 balance sheet, Sherman Books showed a balance of retained earnings equal to $510 million, and on its 2009 balance sheet, the balance of retained earnings was also equal to $510 million; then what is true is that the company must have had net income equal to zero in 2009.

Retained earnings is the profit amount or net income left over and taken back into the business after it has paid out dividends to its shareholders.

However it is unlikely that the company will pay out the entire amount it earns in a particular year but a percentage of earnings.

In the case of Sherman, it is unlikely that the company made a profit of $200 million and paid out every bit as dividends to shareholders but what is most likely is that there was no profit made for retention in 2009