FiveScore decided in 2017 to discontinue accounting for reacquired shares as treasury stock. Instead, shares repurchased will be viewed as retired. As part of the change, 4 million shares purchased in 2016 for $24 million will be reclassified as retired. At December 31, 2016, FiveScore reported income of $400 million and its balance sheet reported the following shareholders equity ($ in millions):

Common stock, $1 par $ 200

Paid-in capital excess of par 800

Retained earnings 956

Treasury stock (24)

Total $1,932

How does this accounting change affect Basic EPS?

A) increase by $0.273.

B) decrease by $0.039.

C) increase by $0.041.

D) no change.