Ratios are mostly calculated using data drawn from the financial statements of a firm. However, another group of ratios, called market value ratios, relate to a firms observable market value, stock prices, and book values, integrating information from both the market and the firms financial statements.

Consider the case of Cold Goose Metal Works Inc.:

Cold Goose Metal Works Inc. just reported earnings after tax (also called net income) of $95,000,000 and a current stock price of $20.25 per share. The company is forecasting an increase of 25% for its after-tax income next year, but it also expects it will have to issue 2,800,000 new shares of stock (raising its shares outstanding from 5,500,000 to 8,300,000).

If Cold Gooses forecast turns out to be correct and its price/earnings (P/E) ratio does not change, what does the companys management expect its stock price to be one year from now? (Round any P/E ratio calculation to four decimal places.)

$16.78 per share

$20.25 per share

$12.59 per share

$20.98 per share