Which of the following represents an owner's equity item?

Owner's equity represents the residual interest in the assets of a business after deducting liabilities. It reflects the owners' claims on the business's resources. Capital stock is a specific type of owner's equity as it represents the amount invested by the owners or shareholders in the company through purchasing shares. This investment in capital stock contributes to the overall equity of the business.

In contrast, loans payable are classified as liabilities, meaning they represent amounts the business owes to creditors. Accounts receivable refers to amounts owed to the business by customers for sales made on credit, which are considered assets, not equity. Cash, while an asset, is simply a liquid resource the business holds, not an owner's equity item. Capital stock stands out as the correct choice because it directly indicates the equity contributed by the owners to the business.