Answer:
10.63%
Explanation:
(1) Current share price = $72.65
current dividend = $4.25
Growth rate = 3.55%
Cost of equity:
= {[Current dividend (1 + Growth rate)] ÷ Price} + Growth rate
= {[$4.25(1 + 3.55%)] ÷ $72.65} + 3.55%
= 9.607639%
(2) Risk free rate = 2.94%
Market risk premium = 7.20%
Beta = 1.21
Cost of equity:
= Risk free rate + (Beta × Market risk premium)
= 2.94% + (1.21 × 7.20%)
= 11.65200%
Average cost of equity = (9.607639% + 11.65200%) ÷ 2
= 10.62982%
Therefore, the best estimate of the company's cost of equity is 10.63%.