Q. Calculate the amount of dividends the company declared during fiscal 2021. Your answer should be your numeric calculation, in equation form. What number of shares did the company use in the denominator for its fiscal 2021 calculation of (basic) earnings per share?

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Preferred shares, $100 par per share, 5 shares authorized and unissued Common shares, \$1 par per share, 2,000 shares authorized; 1,918 shares issued in 2021 and 2020 Additional paid-in capital Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated earnings Common shares in treasury, at cost, 1,191 shares in 2021 and 1,160 shares in 2020 Total Shareholders' Equity - The Kroger Co. Noncontrolling interests (In millions, except per share amounts) Sales Operating expenses Merchandise costs, including advertising, warehousing, and transportation, excluding items shown separately below Operating, general and administrative Rent Depreciation and amortization Operating profit Other income (expense) Interest expense Non-service component of company-sponsored pension plan (costs) benefits (571) (544) (Loss) gain on investments Gain on sale of businesses Net earnings before income tax expense 2,0513,3701,981 Income tax expense 385782 - 469