Why should I choose AnalystNotes?

AnalystNotes specializes in helping candidates pass. Period.

Basic Question 5 of 5

Clay Corporation earns a rate of return on common stockholders' equity of 14%. Which of the following will cause the rate of return to increase?

A. Issuing 9% bonds and investing the proceeds to earn 12%
B. Increasing the size of the cash dividend paid on common stock
C. An increase in the company's price-earnings ratio
D. An increase in the market price of the company's stock

User Contributed Comments 12

User Comment
quincy why?
gopherz1 increased leverage
robbjm30 the funds earn 12% but the interest is only 9% and so the profits are increased relative to equity even with higher interest expense
myanmar leverage effect
Shelton ROCE = (EBIT/Assets - Int/Assets) * (Assets/Equity) * (1-t) - Pref.Div./Equity
thekapila Lets see every choice.
B. Increasing the size of the cash dividend paid on common stock. Its just moving money from income to equity .so no effect.

C. An increase in the company's price-earnings ratio. SO it might be lowering earnings so increasing the ratio.Which might lower ROE.

D. An increase in the market price of the company's stock. it doesn't affect ROE.
chisenga This is nothing but "Du Pont". Answer C and D seems to only increase P/E. Answer B will likely decrease equity, we are left with A which in effect is a piece in the Du Pont formular.
alai2008 if investing all the money in the company supposed an earning of 14% and investing part of the money in financial markets is 12% the result must lower the previous 14%
Sean12211 Bonds are not equity, they are debt. Therefore net income increases and equity remains the same.
aravinda I think simply put, adding debt to the capital structure causes equity to become more risky.. becaue, if the company went bankrupt, they will have to pay the bond holders first and then if there is any money is left then the equity holders will get a proportionate allotment (I think I am right). So due to the added risk for the equity holders, the return on equity must increase.
davcer excess spread that generates financial income thus increasing a higher net income
ascruggs92 I chose B. because a higher cash dividend on common stock would reduce Retained Earning faster, in turn reducing the company's equity. ROE = NI/E, so less equity means a higher return without a change to NI.

A. is right though. Debt & Assets increase, leaving equity the same, and because the ROI is 12% while the cost is 9%, it will be accretive to earnings. Higher NI with no change in equity means a higher ROE
You need to log in first to add your comment.
I am happy to say that I passed! Your study notes certainly helped prepare me for what was the most difficult exam I had ever taken.
Andrea Schildbach

Andrea Schildbach

Learning Outcome Statements

explain the role of equity securities in the financing of a company's assets

contrast the market value and book value of equity securities

compare a company's cost of equity, its (accounting) return on equity, and investors' required rates of return

CFA® 2024 Level I Curriculum, Volume 3, Module 4.