5. Compared with retail sector companies, banks have a * (a) low gearing ratio (b) high equity-to-debt ratio O (c) conservative gearing ratio (d) high debt-to equity ratio 6. A preference share issue offers all the following advantages to a company EXCEPT (a) a flexible dividend policy (b) fixed interest borrowings that can count as equity (c) extension of the equity base of the company (d) Indefinite maturity