J. Ross and Sons Inc

question 37

Multiple Choice

J. Ross and Sons Inc.
J. Ross and Sons Inc. has a target capital structure that calls for 40 percent debt, 10 percent preferred stock, and 50 percent common equity. The firm's current after-tax cost of debt is 6 percent, and it can sell as much debt as it wishes at this rate. The firm's preferred stock currently sells for $90 a share and pays a dividend of $10 per share; however, the firm will net only $80 per share from the sale of new preferred stock. Ross expects to retain $15,000 in earnings over the next year. Ross' common stock currently sells for $40 per share, but the firm will net only $34 per share from the sale of new common stock. The firm recently paid a dividend of $2 per share on its common stock, and investors expect the dividend to grow indefinitely at a constant rate of 10 percent per year.
-Refer to J.Ross and Sons Inc.What is the firm's cost of retained earnings?

• A)10.0%
• B)12.5%
• C)15.5%
• D)16.5%
• E)18.0%

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Definitions:

Average Total Cost

Is calculated by dividing the total cost of production by the total quantity produced.

Economic Profit

The remaining amount after all explicit and implicit costs are deducted from the entire revenue.

Technological Breakthrough

A significant innovation or discovery that dramatically advances technology or improves processes and products.

Profit-Maximizing Monopolist

A monopolist entity that aims to maximize its profits by setting prices where marginal costs equal marginal revenues, given its unique market power.