Question
Benchmark Metrics Inc.(BMI), anall-equity financedfirm, reported EPS of $ 5.00 in 2013. Despite the economicdownturn, BMI is confident regarding its current investment opportunities. But due
Benchmark Metrics Inc.(BMI), anall-equity financedfirm, reported EPS of $ 5.00 in 2013. Despite the economicdownturn, BMI is confident regarding its current investment opportunities. But due to the financialcrisis, BMI does not wish to fund these investments externally. The Board has therefore decided to suspend its stock repurchase plan and cut its dividend to $ 1.00 per share(vs. almost $ 2 per share in2012), and retain these funds instead. The firm has just paid the 2013dividend, and BMI plans to keep its dividend at $ 1.00 per share in 2014 as well. In subsequentyears, it expects its growth opportunities toslow, and it will still be able to fund its growth internally with a target 40 % dividend payoutratio, and reinitiating its stock repurchase plan for a total payout rate of 60 %. (All dividends and repurchases occur at the end of eachyear.)
SupposeBMI's existing operations will continue to generate the current level of earnings per share in the future. Assume further that the return on new investment is 15 %
and that reinvestments will account for all future earnings growth(if any).Finally, assumeBMI's equity cost of capital is 10 %
a. EstimateBMI's EPS in 2014 and 2015(before any sharerepurchases).
b. What is the value of a share of BMI at the start of 2014(end of2013)?
Step by Step Solution
There are 3 Steps involved in it
Step: 1
Get Instant Access to Expert-Tailored Solutions
See step-by-step solutions with expert insights and AI powered tools for academic success
Step: 2
Step: 3
Ace Your Homework with AI
Get the answers you need in no time with our AI-driven, step-by-step assistance
Get Started