Answer:
13.87%
Explanation:
Fristly, we calculate the cost of equity using capital asset pricing model:
Cost of equity_1 = Risk-free rate + Beta x Market risk premium
= 2.9% + 1.62 x 8.2% = 16.18%
(Note: T-bill yield is used as a proxy for risk-free rate).
Secondly, we find the implied cost of equity using dividend discounted model:
Stock price = Next year dividend/(Cost of equity_2 - Long term dividend growth) or:
25 = 1.87 x (1 + 3.8%)/(Cost of equity_2 - 3.8%). Solve the equation, we get: Cost of equity_2 = 11.56%
So the average cost of equity of the two method is (16.18% + 11.56%)/2 = 13.87%.