Earnings Per Share (EPS) represents the profit available to each equity share.
The formula is:
EPS=Number of Equity SharesProfit available to Equity Shareholders
Number of Equity Shares:
Number of Equity Shares=Face Value per shareEquity Share Capital=104,00,000=40,000 shares
Profit available to Equity Shareholders:
From the net profit after tax, preference dividend must be deducted since preference shareholders have the first claim on profits.
Preference Dividend=12% of 1,00,000=12,000
Profit available to Equity Shareholders=1,50,000−12,000=1,38,000
Calculating EPS:
EPS=40,0001,38,000=3.45
The key point here is that preference shareholders receive their fixed dividend first (12% of Rs. 1,00,000 = Rs. 12,000), and only the remaining profit is distributed among equity shareholders.
Correct Option: 2 (3.45)