Attempts: Average: 72 5. Stockholders' equity The right side of the balance sheet shows the firm's liabilities and stockholders' equity. Which of the following best describes shareholders' equity? O Equity is the difference between the paid-in capital and retained earnings O Equity i s the sum of what the initial stockholders paid when they bought company shares and the earnings that the company has retained over the years. ges NOW Inc. released its annual results and financial statements, Grace is reading the summary in the business pa of today's paper. In its annual report this year, NOW Inc. reported a net income of $196 million. Last year, the company reported a retained earnings balance of $425 million, whereas this year it increased to $500 million, How much was paid out in dividends this year? O $271 million O $3 milliorn O $121 million O $610 mililion