4. Another option discussed by Tom, Jessica and Nolan would be to begin a regular dividend payment to shareholders. How would you evaluate this proposal? Electronic Timing Company (ETC) is a small company founded 15 years ago by electronics engineers Tom Miller and Jessica Kerr. ETC manufactures integrated circuits to capitalise on the complex mixed-signal design technology and has recently entered the market for frequency timing generators or silicon timing devices, which provide the timing signals or

‘clocks’ necessary to synchronise electronic systems. Its clock products originally were used in PC video graphics applications, but the market has subsequently expanded to include motherboards, PC peripheral devices and other digital consumer electronics, such as digital television boxes and game consoles. ETC also designs and markets custom specific-application integrated circuits (SAICs) for industrial customers. The SAIC’s design combines analogue and digital or mixed-signal, technology. In addition to Tom and Jessica, Nolan Pittman, who provided capital for the company, is the third primary owner. Each owns 25 per cent of the 1 million shares outstanding. The company has several other individuals, including current employees, who own the remaining shares.