Del Conte Construction Company has experienced generally steady growth since its inception in 1976. Management is proud of its record of having maintained or increased its earnings per share in each year of its existence. The economic downturn has led to disturbing dips in revenues the past two years. Despite concerted cost-cutting efforts, profits have declined in each of the two previous years. Net income in 2022, 2023, and 2024 was as follows: 2022 2023 2024 $ 145 $ 134 $ 95 million million million A major shareholder has hired you to provide advice on whether to continue her present investment position or to curtail that position. Of particular concern is the declining profitability, despite the fact that earnings per share has continued a pattern of growth: 2022 2023 Basic $ 2.15 $2.44 Diluted $ 1.91 $2.12 2024 $ 2.50 $ 2.50 She specifically asks you to explain this apparent paradox. During the course of your investigation you discover the following events: • For the decade ending December 31, 2021, Del Conte had 60 million common shares and 20 million shares of 8%, $10 par nonconvertible preferred stock outstanding. Cash dividends have been paid quarterly on both. • On July 1, 2023, half the preferred shares were retired in the open market. The remaining shares were retired on December 30, 2023. $55 million of 8% nonconvertible bonds were issued at the beginning of 2024, and a portion of the proceeds were used to call and retire $50 million of 8% debentures (outstanding since 2019) that were convertible into 9 million common shares. • In 2022, management announced a share repurchase plan by which up to 24 million common shares would be retired. 12 million shares were retired on March 1 of both 2023 and 2024. • Del Conte's income tax rate is 25% and has been for the last several years. Required: Prepare a 1 to 2 page paper (double spaced, 12 pt. Times New Roman font) explaining to your client the reason for this "apparent paradox" of declining earnings during this period of rising EPS figures. Be SURE to compute and include both basic and diluted earnings per share for each of the three years of concern.