?DFB, Inc. expects earnings next year of $4.67 per? share, and it plans to pay a $2.25 dividend to shareholders. DFB will retain $2.42 per share of its earnings to reinvest in new projects that have an expected return of 15.9% per year. Suppose DFB will maintain the same dividend payout? rate, retention? rate, and return on new investments in the future and will not change its number of outstanding shares. Assume next dividend is due in one year.
a. What growth rate of earnings would you forecast for? DFB?
b. If? DFB's equity cost of capital is 11.1%?, what price would you estimate for DFB? stock?
c. Suppose instead that DFB plans to pay a dividend of $3.25 per share next year and retained only $1.42 per share in earnings. That? is, it chose to pay a higher dividend instead of reinvesting in as many new projects. If DFB maintains this higher payout rate in the? future, what stock price would you estimate for the firm? now?
Should DFB follow this new? policy?