Which of the following would be most likely to lead to a decrease in a firm's dividend payout ratio?

It's access to the capital market increases. It's R & D efforts pay off and now has more high-return investment opportunities. Its accounts receivable decrease due to a change in its credit policy. It's stock price has increased over the last year by a great percentage than the increase in the broad stock market averages. It's earnings become more stable.

Which of the following is Correct?

Industry characteristics and economy conditions contribute to a firms business risk but these factors are generally beyond managements control. One of the benefits toa firm of being at or near its target capital structure is that this eliminates any risk of bankruptcy. A firms financial risk can be minimized by diversification. The amount of debt in its capital structure will affect a company business risk. A firm's business risk is determined soley by th enfinancial characteristics of its industry. Which of these will not generally be affected by an increase in the debt ratio? total risk, financial risk, market risk, firm's beta, or business risk? Which of the following should not influence a firms dividend policy decision? strong preference by most shareholders for current cash income vs. capital gains. constraints imposed by covenants in the firm's bond indenture. fact that a majority of the firms equipment has been leased rather than bought and owned. congress is considering the tax law regarding taxation of dividends vs. capital gain. firms ability to control th etiming of its capital investment projects.