On August 1, 2015, Omega Co. declared and issued a 15 percent common stock dividend. Prior to this, Omega Co. had 50,000 outstanding shares of $2 par value common stock. The market value of Omega Co.'s stock was $18 per share at the time the dividend was issued. As a result of this stock dividend, Omega Co.'s total stockholders' equity ________.

A.

increased by $15,000

B.

decreased by $7,500

C.

decreased by $135,000

D.

did not change