Houser Corporation owns 4,000,000 shares of stock in Baha Corporation. On December 31, 2017, Houser distributed these shares of stock as a dividend to its stockholders. This is an example of a property dividend. stock dividend. liquidating dividend. cash dividend. The declaration and issuance of a stock dividend larger than 25% of the shares previously outstanding increases common stock outstanding and increases total stockholders' equity. decreases retained earnings but does not change total stockholders' equity. may increase or decrease paid-in capital in excess of par but does not change total stockholders' equity. increases retained earnings and increases total stockholders' equity