Common shares outstanding are increased as a result of a stock dividend or stock split. For purposes of calculating the earnings per share, when is the stock dividend or stock split considered to have occurred?

A) at the beginning of the earliest comparative period for which earnings per share information is presented
B) at the end of the earliest comparative period for which earnings per share information is presented
C) at the beginning of the year declared
D) as of the date of declaration

ANSWER:

A