$($Calculating rates of return$)$ The S&P stock index represents a portfolio comprised of $500$ large publicly traded companies. On December $24,2007,$ the index had a value of $1,410$ and on December $24,2008,$ the index was approximately $874.$ If the average dividend paid on the stocks in the index is approximately $3\mathrm{.}0$ percent of the value of the index at the beginning of the year, what is the rate of return earned on the S&P index? What is your assessment of the relative riskiness of investing in a single stock such as Google compared to investing in the S&P index $($recall from Chapter $2$ that you can purchase mutual funds that mimic the returns of the index$)?$

The rate of return earned on the S&P $500$ is $\%.($Round to two decimal places.$)$

What is your assessment of the relative riskiness of investing in a single stock, such as Google, compared to investing in the S&P index? $($Select the best choice below.$)$

A$.$ In general, investing in a single stock has the same relative riskiness as investing in the S&P index.

B$.$ In general, investing in a single stock is riskier than investing in the S&P index.

C$.$ In general, investing in the S&P index is riskier than investing in a single stock.

D$.$ There is not enough information given to answer this question.