Question $4$

Next$->$

If a management team wishes to undertake efforts specifically aimed at helping the company meet or beat the investor$-$expected increases in the company's stock price in upcoming years, then it should pursue actions to

$$minimize the company's annual dividend payments to shareholders.

$$build the company's brand reputation; a strong, widely$-$known brand reputation is the biggest factor that drives the company's stock price upward.$$increase total operating profits in all four geographic regions $--$ the resulting growth in operating profits will improve total net profit and help raise the EPS, driving the company's stock price upward.$$outspend rivals on corporate social responsibility initiatives and charitable contributions, so as to encourage bigger numbers of investors who strongly support corporate social responsibility initiatives to purchase shares of the company's common stock.

$$use the cash in the company's retained earnings account to quickly repay bank loans and$/$or to repurchase shares of the company's stock.