Assume a firm employs the security market line approach to determine the cost of equity. If the firm currently pays an annual dividend of $$4\mathrm{.}28$ per share and has a beta of $1\mathrm{.}16,$ all else constant, which of the following actions will increase the firm$$s cost of equity?

Multiple Choice

A decrease in the dividend amount

A decrease in the firm's beta

A decrease in the risk$-$free rate

An increase in the dividend amount

A decrease in the market rate of return