Consider the Discussions Concerning the Cost of Common Equity

Multiple Choice

Consider the discussions concerning the cost of common equity.What is the relationship between the cost of retained earnings (internal equity) , rs, and the cost of new common equity (external equity) , re?

A) rs > re, because new stockholders are willing to accept a lower return and "pay their dues" before they start receiving the higher returns that existing, loyal stockholders receive.
B) 0 = rs < re, because there is no "real" cost to the income that the firm decides to retain to reinvest in assets rather than payout to common stockholders as dividends.
C) 0 < rs < re, because there is a real cost to retaining income (earnings) for reinvestment, but the firm has to pay flotation costs when issuing new common stock.
D) rs = re, because they both represent essentially the same source of funds, so they must have the same cost.
E) None of the above is a correct answer.