Answer:
a. 7.83 percent
Explanation:
This is calculated by using the Gordon growth model (GGM) formula as follows:
P = d / (r - g) ……………………………………… (1)
Where;
P = market price of the stock = $24.09
d = next year annual dividend = $1.26
r = cost of equity = ?
g = dividend growth rate = 2.6%, or 0.026
Substituting the values into equation and solve for r, we have:
24.09 = 1.26 / (r - 0.026)
24.09 (r - 0.026) = 1.26
24.09r - 0.62634 = 1.26
24.09r = 1.26 + 0.62634
24.09r = 1.88634
r = 1.88634 / 24.09
r = 0.0783038605230386, or 7.83038605230386%
Rounding to 2 decimal places. we have:
r = 7.83%
Therefore, the correct option is a. 7.83 percent.
