45.) Ace, Inc. has net earnings of $3.6 billion this year. It has 600 million shares of common stock outstanding and it paid 75 cents per share per quarter this year. Which of the following is correct?

a. The retention ratio equals 33.33%.

b. The retention ratio equals 50%.

c. The payout ratio equals 33.33%.

d. The payout ratio equals 66.67%.

46.) Low interest rates and high unemployment are characteristic of what phase of the business cycle?

a. Expansion.

b. Peak.

c. Contraction.

d. Trough.