Big Time Cell Phone Corporation just announced a cut in their annual dividend from $3.14 to $2.05 per share (year 1 dividend). Big Time has announced the investment in a new indestructible smart phone. Prior to this announcement, analysts believe dividends would grow at 2.50% into the foreseeable future, and the stock was priced at $17.50. After the announcement, the expectation is that dividends will now grow at a 3.53% rate.

What is the new price of the stock after the announcement?

1 answer

To calculate the new price of the stock after the announcement, we can use the Gordon Growth Model (also known as the Dividend Discount Model). The formula for this model is:

\[ P = \frac{D_1}{r - g} \]

Where:

  • \( P \) = Price of the stock
  • \( D_1 \) = Dividend in the next year
  • \( r \) = Required rate of return
  • \( g \) = Growth rate of dividends

Step 1: Identify the new dividend and growth rate

From the information provided:

  • The new dividend (D₁) is $2.05.
  • The new growth rate (g) is 3.53% or 0.0353 in decimal.

Step 2: Estimate the required rate of return (r)

Before the announcement, the stock price was $17.50, and the dividend was initially $3.14. Using the initial growth rate of 2.50% (or 0.025 in decimal), we can calculate the required rate of return \( r \) prior to the announcement:

\[ P = \frac{D_1}{r - g} \]

Using \( D_1 = 3.14 \), \( g = 0.025 \), and \( P = 17.50 \):

\[ 17.50 = \frac{3.14}{r - 0.025} \]

Cross-multiplying gives us:

\[ 17.50(r - 0.025) = 3.14 \]

Expanding and solving for r:

\[ 17.50r - 0.4375 = 3.14 \]

\[ 17.50r = 3.14 + 0.4375 \]

\[ 17.50r = 3.5775 \]

\[ r = \frac{3.5775}{17.50} \approx 0.2045 \text{ or } 20.45% \]

Step 3: Calculate the new price of the stock

Now that we have \( r \approx 0.2045 \) and \( g = 0.0353 \), we can use the Gordon Growth Model again to find the new price \( P \):

\[ P = \frac{D_1}{r - g} = \frac{2.05}{0.2045 - 0.0353} \]

Calculating the denominator:

\[ r - g \approx 0.2045 - 0.0353 \approx 0.1692 \]

Now substituting in the values:

\[ P = \frac{2.05}{0.1692} \approx 12.13 \]

Conclusion

Therefore, the new price of the stock after the announcement is approximately $12.13.