A Financial Analyst Has Been Following Fast Start Inc

Multiple Choice

A financial analyst has been following Fast Start Inc., a new high-growth company. She estimates that the current risk-free rate is 6.25 percent, the market risk premium is 5 percent, and that Fast Start's beta is 1.75. The current earnings per share (EPS0) is $2.50. The company has a 40 percent payout ratio. The analyst estimates that the company's dividend will grow at a rate of 25 percent this year, 20 percent next year, and 15 percent the following year. After three years the dividend is expected to grow at a constant rate of 7 percent a year. The company is expected to maintain its current payout ratio. The analyst believes that the stock is fairly priced. What is the current price of the stock?

A) $16.51
B) $17.33
C) $18.53
D) $19.25
E) $19.89