Every decision made by the management of a company $-$ such as taking loans, purchasing new equipment, among many $-$ must be led and followed by well$-$orchestrated effort that ends up in increased market value of the company for its owners. Which one of the following describes best the ultimate measurement of this effort?

The consistency of the growth rates of the firm's revenues & profits

The consistency of the firm's well$-$balanced capital structure.

The growth of the firm's Shareholders' Equity $($Owners$\text{'}$ Equity$)-($ $ as well as its $\%$ of Total Assets$)-$ on the Balance Sheet continuously each year

The growth of its long$-$term operational efficiency with reduced risk perceived by the investors, which is reflected in the market price of its common stock