The beta for Bob's Corporations common stock is 1.44. The annual stock market risk premium is 6.8%, and the risk-free interest rate is 2.6% per year. According to the security market line (SML) technique, what annual average rate of return is expected on the stock market as a whole? [Preceding question 10 was based on the same general information.]

A. 4.20%

B. 6.80%

C. 9.40%

D. 4.72%

E. 13.54%