On December 31, 2017, Dow Steel Corporation had 650,000 shares of common stock and 35,000 shares of 9%, noncumulative, nonconvertible preferred stock issued and outstanding. Dow issued a 5% common stock dividend on May 15 and paid cash dividends of $450,000 and $74,000 to common and preferred shareholders, respectively, on December 15, 2018. On February 28, 2018, Dow sold 64,000 common shares. In keeping with its long-term share repurchase plan, 7,000 shares were retired on July 1. Dow's net income for the year ended December 31, 2018, was $2,350,000. The income tax rate is 40%. Required: Compute Dow's earnings per share for the year ended December 31, 2018. (Do not round intermediate calculations. Enter your answers in thousands.) Numerator / $ 2,330 / Denominator 792 = Earnings per share $ 2.94