P14-7 (similar to) Alternative dividend policies Over the last 10 years, a firm has had the earnings per share shown in the following table: a. If the firm's dividend policy were based on a constant payout ratio of 40% for all years with positive earnings and 0% otherwise, what would be the annual dividend for 2015? b. If the firm had a dividend payout of $1.00 per share, increasing by $0.10 per share whenever the dividend payout fell below 50% for two consecutive years, what annual dividend would the firm pay in 2015? c. If the firm's policy were to pay $0.50 per share each period except when earnings per share exceed $3.00, when an extra dividend equal to 80% of earnings beyond $3.00 would be paid, what annual dividend would the firm pay in 2015? d. Discuss the pros and cons of each dividend policy described in parts a through c. a. If the firm's dividend policy were based on a constant payout ratio of 40% for all years with positive earnings and 0% otherwise, the annual dividend for 2015 is $ . (Round to the nearest cent.) A Data Table - X (Click on the icon located on the top-right corner of the data table below in order to copy its contents into a spreadsheet.) Year 2019 2018 Earnings per share Year $4.14 2014 $4.71 2013 $4.67 2012 $3.71 2011 $3.45 2010 Earnings per share $3.89 $1.49 $1.83 - $0.57 $0.75 2017 2016 2015 Print Done