Question: The recent performance of U.S. equity markets has increased the popularity of dividend-paying stocks for some investors. Shown below are the diluted net earnings per common share and the dividends per common share for the Procter & Gamble Company (P&G) for the years 1996-2011.
a. Construct a line chart of diluted net earnings per common share for the years shown.
b. Construct a line chart of dividends per common share for the years shown.
c. Construct the appropriate chart for determining whether there is a relationship between diluted net earnings per common share and dividends per common share for the years shown. Briefly comment on the nature of any relationship you believe your chart reveals.