HighTech Inc. was a small company started by four entrepreneurs a few years ago. They each initially invested $200,000 and sold $1 million in preferred shares to a wealthy private investor. The company did not earn much profit from its operations but was able to pay the promised annual dividend of $100,000 on the preferred shares. The company did successfully develop several patents, some of which it sold and some it still holds. The four founding shareholders are planning to sell the remaining patents and all other assets and wind up the company to allow them to move on to other ventures. A summary of the company’s statement of financial position is as follows:

Required 

a. How much will each group of shareholders receive on the windup if HighTech is able to sell its assets for:
i. $2,110,700?
ii. $5,000,000?
iii. $1,800,000?
b. Why is it unlikely that HighTech would be able to sell its assets for $2,110,700? 

c. If HighTech never paid dividends to the common shareholders, what would be the total rate of return the common shareholders earned on their venture for each of the three prices given in part (a)?

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Total assets Total liabilities HIGHTECH INC. Statement of Financial Position as at April 30, 2024 Preferred shares Common shares Retained earnings Total liabilities and equity $2,110,700 85,000 1,000,000 800,000 225,700 $2,110,700