Note 7. Equity

12 Months Ended

Dec. 31, 2017

Notes to Financial Statements

Equity

Dividends

During the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, we paid dividends totaling $588,000, or $0.20 per share, and $453,000 or $0.16 per share, respectively, to holders of shares of common stock.

Preferred stock and common stock

There were no issuances of preferred stock during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016. During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company had the following issuances of common stock in addition to stock issued pursuant to vesting of restricted stock units and exercise of options to purchase common stock:

●  The Company issued 2,500 shares of common stock to consultants in exchange for services during the year ended December 31, 2017, and recognized expense of $31,000 for the value of those shares. No shares were issued in exchange for services during the year ended December 31, 2016.

●  On October 2, 2017, the Company issued 25,235 shares as part of the acquisition of Interwest (see Note 4).