Computech Corporation is expanding rapidly and currently needs to retain all of its earnings; hence, it does not pay dividends. However, investors expect Computech to begin paying dividends, beginning with a dividend of $0.50 coming 3 years from today. The dividend should grow rapidly - at a rate of 49% per year - during Years 4 and 5; but after Year 5, growth should be a constant 9% per year. If the required return on Computech is 16%, what is the value of the stock today? Round your answer to the nearest cent. Do not round your intermediate calculations.

$8.81

Explanation:

To solve this, add the present values of the dividends from years 3, 4 and 5 and then add the present value of the terminal value of the stock at year 5.

Year 3 dividend = $0.50

Year 4 dividend = 0.50 * (1 + 49%) = $0.745

Year 5 dividend = 0.745 * 1.49 = $1.11005

= Dividend in year 3 / (1 + required rate of return)³ + Dividend in year 4 / (1 + required rate of return)⁴ + Dividend in year 5 / (1 + required rate of return)⁵ +   (Dividend in year 5 * (1 + growth rate) / ( required rate of return - growth rate ) ) / (1 + required rate of return)⁵

= 0.5 / 1.16³ + 0.745/1.16⁴ + 1.11005/1.16⁵ + ( 1.11005 / (16% - 9%)) / 1.16⁵

= $8.81

christopher columbus sail the ocean blue 1492

b is the correct answer