What are claims of owners against the net assets of the firm known as?

Claims of owners against the net assets of a firm are recognized as stockholders' equity. This represents the residual interest in the assets of the company after deducting its liabilities. Essentially, stockholders' equity reflects the ownership interest held by shareholders and consists of components such as common stock, preferred stock, and retained earnings.

Stockholders' equity is crucial because it indicates the amount that would be returned to shareholders if all assets were liquidated and all debts were paid off. This distinctly defines the ownership interest and serves as a measure of a company's financial health and stability from the perspective of its owners.

The other options do not represent owners' claims against net assets. Current assets refer to resources expected to be converted into cash or consumed within a year. Liabilities are obligations that the firm owes to outsiders or creditors, not the owners. Retained earnings represent the cumulative amount of net income that has been retained in the business rather than distributed as dividends, but they are a component of stockholders' equity rather than a standalone category for ownership claims.