ALTERNATIVE DIVIDEND POLICIES In 2015, Keenan Company paid dividends totaling $3,600,000 on net income of $10.8 million. Note that 2015 was a normal year and that for the past 10 years, earnings have grown at a constant rate of 10%. However, in 2016, earnings are expected to jump to $14.4 million and the firm expects to have profitable investment opportunities of $8.4 million. It is predicted that Keenan will not be able to maintain the 2016 level of earnings growth because the high 2016 earnings level is attributable to an exceptionally profitable new product line introduced that year. After 2016, the company will return to its previous 10% growth rate. Keenan’s target capital structure is 40% debt and 60% equity.
a. Assume that investors expect Keenan to pay total dividends of $9,000,000 in 2016 and to have the dividend grow at 10% after 2016. The stock’s total market value is $180 million. What is the company’s cost of equity?
b. What is Keenan’s long-run average return on equity? [Hint: ]
c. Does a 2016 dividend of $9,000,000 seem reasonable in view of your answers to parts c and d? If not, should the dividend be higher or lower? Explain your answer.