On January 1, 2012, Par Company purchased 8,000 shares of Sub Inc. (total shares issued 10,000) for $500,000 and uses the equity method to account for its investment in Sub Inc. On the acquisition date, acquisition differential totalled $60,000 all allocated to capital assets with a remaining useful life of four years. 

During 2012, Sub had net income of $180,000 (earned evenly over the year) and on June 1, 2012, paid dividends of $40,000. 

On August 1, 2012, Par sold 2,000 of the 8,000 shares that it held in Sub for proceeds of $140,000. 

Required:

a. Prepare the Par’s journal entry for the sale of the shares on August 1, 2012. 

b. What will the balance in the investment account be at December 31, 2012?