Amazon is one of the largest companies in the world, but it has never paid a dividend. Netflix does not pay a dividend but does buyback stock. Dividends are taxed at the ordinary income rate-35% in this example. Stock buybacks induce a capital gain taxed at the capital gains tax rate-15% in this world. For now, assume that all stock held by investors was purchased for 0 dollars. (Yes, zero!) Assume that Amazon and Netflix are risk-less and have different re-investment opportunities. Investors can invest in municipal bonds with a tax-free yield of 10% annually 1. If investors do not care how they receive cash back (as theory predicts), should firms give cash back to investors as buybacks or dividends? 2. Suppose that Amazon has an investment opportunity that yields a 12% return annually pre- tax. Otherwise, Amazon can pay out a dividend or buyback that can be re-invested in Municipals. Would the investor prefer a dividend payment or re-investment? b. Would the investor prefer a buy back or re-investment? c. Repeat the analysis with a 10.5% return annually. 3. At what return R from re-investment are investors in-different between buybacks and re- investments given the tax rates and municipal bond yields? 4. Why might Amazon and Netflix have different buyback policies? a. Hint: While not necessary, assume that choosing to re-invest today means that a dividend/buy will occur surely next period. Amazon is one of the largest companies in the world, but it has never paid a dividend. Netflix does not pay a dividend but does buyback stock. Dividends are taxed at the ordinary income rate-35% in this example. Stock buybacks induce a capital gain taxed at the capital gains tax rate-15% in this world. For now, assume that all stock held by investors was purchased for 0 dollars. (Yes, zero!) Assume that Amazon and Netflix are risk-less and have different re-investment opportunities. Investors can invest in municipal bonds with a tax-free yield of 10% annually 1. If investors do not care how they receive cash back (as theory predicts), should firms give cash back to investors as buybacks or dividends? 2. Suppose that Amazon has an investment opportunity that yields a 12% return annually pre- tax. Otherwise, Amazon can pay out a dividend or buyback that can be re-invested in Municipals. Would the investor prefer a dividend payment or re-investment? b. Would the investor prefer a buy back or re-investment? c. Repeat the analysis with a 10.5% return annually. 3. At what return R from re-investment are investors in-different between buybacks and re- investments given the tax rates and municipal bond yields? 4. Why might Amazon and Netflix have different buyback policies? a. Hint: While not necessary, assume that choosing to re-invest today means that a dividend/buy will occur surely next period