a) Find the beta for each of these competitors, and then calculate the industry average beta.

b) Using the industry average beta, what is the cost of equity?

c) Does it matter if you use the beta for Becton, Dickenson and Company (0.85) or the beta for the industry in this case?

COMPETITORS STOCK PRICE CHANGE BETA (5Y Monthly) -1.69 0.91 Abbott Laboratories 107.79 Johnson & Johnson 145.24 +0.16 0.69 Baxter International 81.09 Inc. -0.36 0.76 COMPETITORS STOCK PRICE CHANGE BETA (5Y Monthly) -1.69 0.91 Abbott Laboratories 107.79 Johnson & Johnson 145.24 +0.16 0.69 Baxter International 81.09 Inc. -0.36 0.76