Question

Assume that an analyst is using the constant dividend growth model to value a stock. Which of the following scenarios would be certain to cause her to decrease her estimate of the stock's value (assuming, of course, that all other factors are held constant)?
A. She believes the company has become riskier, and therefore increases her required rate of return for the stock.
B. She increases her estimate of the company’s next year’s dividend.
C. She increase her estimate of the expected annual rate of growth in the company’s dividends.
D. She decreases her required rate of return for the stock.
E. None of the above would cause her to decrease her estimate of the stock’s value.

Answer 1

Answer: A. She believes the company has become riskier, and therefore increases her required rate of return for the stock.

Explanation:

The formula for the Constant dividend growth model of valuing stock is:

= Next dividend / (Required return - growth rate)

From the formula above, one can tell that if the required return is higher, it would result in a lower value for stock because it would divide the numerator more.

If the analyst believes that the company is riskier and increases the required return, the value would therefore reduce if other measures are kept constant.