Question: This is a more difficult but informative problem. James Brodrick & Sons, Incorporated, is growing rapidly and, if at all possible, would like to finance
This is a more difficult but informative problem. James Brodrick & Sons, Incorporated, is growing rapidly and, if at all possible, would like to finance its growth without selling new equity. Selected information from the companys five-year financial forecast follows.
| Year | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings after tax ($ millions) | 100 | 128 | 168 | 227 | 300 |
| Capital investment ($ millions) | 170 | 300 | 300 | 370 | 540 |
| Target book value debt-to-equity ratio (%) | 140 | 140 | 140 | 140 | 140 |
| Dividend payout ratio (%) | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? |
| Marketable securities ($ millions) | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 | 200 |
| (Year 0 marketable securities = $200 million) |
a. According to this forecast, what dividends will the company be able to distribute annually without raising new equity and while maintaining a balance of $200 million in marketable securities? What will the annual dividend payout ratio be? (Hint: Remember sources of cash must equal uses at all times.)
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