What are the effects on the three statements when the company receives a $100 bailout?

• A. Income Statement: No changes. Cash Flow Statement: Cash Flow from Financing up by $100. Balance Sheet: Cash up $100; Shareholders' Equity up $100.
• B. Income Statement: Revenue increases by $100. Cash Flow Statement: Cash Flow from Financing up by $100. Balance Sheet: Cash up $100; Equity up $100.
• C. Income Statement: Expenses increase by $100. Cash Flow Statement: Cash Flow from Financing down by $100. Balance Sheet: Cash down $100; Equity down $100.
• D. Income Statement: No changes. Cash Flow Statement: Cash Flow from Investing up by $100. Balance Sheet: Cash up $100; Assets up $100.

Answer: (A)

A bailout is a financing inflow that does not affect a company’s operations. Because it does not generate revenue or incur an expense, the income statement stays unchanged. The cash flow statement records the new funding as a financing activity, so cash flow from financing increases by the bailout amount. On the balance sheet, cash rises and shareholders’ equity rises by the same amount, since the funds are treated as additional contributed capital rather than a revenue or a liability. If the bailout were a loan, it would increase liabilities instead of equity, but here it’s treated as equity-financing.