Stuart Inc. has sales of $$671,000,$ costs of goods sold $$333,000,$ depreciation expense of $$77,000,$ interest expense of

$$48,500,$ a tax rate of $24$ percent, and paid out $$44,500$ in cash dividends. The firm also has current assets of $$3,600,$

net fixed assets of $$19,500,$ current liabilities of $$3,100,$ and long$-$term debt of $$7,700.$ The firm has $28,000$ shares of

common stock outstanding. What is the earnings per share $($EPS$)$ for this firm?

Group of answer choices

$$6\mathrm{.}99$

$$3\mathrm{.}38$

$$6\mathrm{.}86$

$$5\mathrm{.}77$