Which of the following is a required element in the Articles of Incorporation?

The required element in the Articles of Incorporation is the purpose and duration of the corporation. This information is essential because it informs the state and the public about the reason for the corporation's existence and how long it intends to operate. The purpose provides clarity about the business activities the corporation plans to engage in, as well as legal implications related to its operational scope. The duration can be specified as a set period or the corporation can be established to exist perpetually.

Incorporation documents must provide foundational information that governs the corporation's existence, and omitting this detail could lead to the validity of the corporation being questioned. Other options, while potentially useful in some contexts, do not fulfill these fundamental requirements. For instance, the specific name of the corporation is necessary, but not as standalone information without context regarding its purpose and duration. Similarly, names of shareholders and statements of financial performance are not mandated in the Articles of Incorporation, making option B the most complete and necessary element for lawful incorporation.