Examine the attached financial statements of Alaska Airlines. Alaska hasn't paid out dividends to its common stockholders since 1992.
1. What factors would you consider (if you were a member of the Board of Directors of Alaska) in finalizing a dividend to be paid stockholders in early 1999? Your answer should draw from information discussed in your Intermediate Accounting textbook, class discussion, and relevant factual information given in the Alaska financial statements attached. You want to list at least five relevant factors (if not more).
2. Do you think Alaska's decision not to pay dividends in 1998 was justified?