1 The table below lists some partial information about a firm. Assume that the number of shares outstanding stays constant forever. Year 0 2 3 4 Book equity per share 100 132.25 Earnings per share (EPS) 21.325 Return on equity (ROE) 0.20 0.20 0.15 0.15 Payout ratio 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.50 Dividends per share 5 Dividend growth rate 0.075 (b) Consider the following statement: For markets to be informationally efficient, all investors must be rational. Is this statement true? Why/why not? (you will be marked on the justification(s) provided). (4 marks) (c) Companies sometimes try to match the duration of their assets and liabilities. Explain how you think this approach may be useful in protecting net worth from interest rate risk (net worth = A - L, the difference between the market value of assets and liabilities). When is this approach likely to prove less effective? Why? (5 marks) 1 The table below lists some partial information about a firm. Assume that the number of shares outstanding stays constant forever. Year 0 2 3 4 Book equity per share 100 132.25 Earnings per share (EPS) 21.325 Return on equity (ROE) 0.20 0.20 0.15 0.15 Payout ratio 0.25 0.25 0.50 0.50 Dividends per share 5 Dividend growth rate 0.075 (b) Consider the following statement: For markets to be informationally efficient, all investors must be rational. Is this statement true? Why/why not? (you will be marked on the justification(s) provided). (4 marks) (c) Companies sometimes try to match the duration of their assets and liabilities. Explain how you think this approach may be useful in protecting net worth from interest rate risk (net worth = A - L, the difference between the market value of assets and liabilities). When is this approach likely to prove less effective? Why