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The Statement of Stockholder Equity Equation is accurately represented by the first option: Beginning Stockholder Equity (SHE) + New Stock + Net Income - Dividends = End Stockholder Equity. This equation summarizes how the total equity of a company changes over a given period.
Beginning SHE refers to the equity at the start of the period. When a company issues new stock, it increases the overall equity, indicating that shareholders have contributed more capital. Net income, which the company earns during the period, further contributes to the equity since it represents profits retained in the business and is often reinvested. However, dividends are distributions to shareholders, which decrease total equity because they represent a return of a portion of the profits to the shareholders.
Combining these elements gives a comprehensive picture of how a company's equity transforms over the period, leading to the end stockholder equity figure. This understanding is fundamental to grasping the effects of business operations on the financial position of the entity.