Hunter corporation declared a $0.50 per share cash dividend on its common share. The company has 20,000 shares authorized, 9,000 shares issued, and 8,000 shares of common stock outstanding. The journal entry to record the dividend declaration is

A. Debit Retained Earnings $4,000; credit Common Dividends Payable $4,000.

B. Debit Common Dividends Payable $4,000; credit Cash $4,000.

C. Debit Retained Earnings $4,500; credit Common Dividends Payable $4,500.

D. Debit Common Dividends Payable $4,500; credit Common Dividends Payable $4,500.

E. Debit Retained Earnings $10,000; credit Common Dividends Payables $10,000.