On December 31, 2008, Albacore Company had 260,000 shares of common stock issued and outstanding. Albacore issued a 12% stock dividend on June 30, 2009. On September 30, 2009, 8,000 shares of common stock were reacquired as treasury stock. What is the appropriate number of shares to be used in the basic earnings per share computation for 2009?

a)

268,960.

b)

291,200.

c)

293,200.

d)

289,200.