Which of the following best describes the primary reason for the greater volatility of the earnings multiplier of a stock market series compared to the EPS for the same series? Choose the best answer.
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A. B. C. D. E.Explanation
The greater relative volatility of the earnings multiplier versus the EPS figure is primarily attributable to an increased sensitivity to changes in the spread between the required rate of return "k" and the anticipated growth rate "g." Remember that the equation used to determine the appropriate earnings multiplier for a stock market series is the following:
{P/E = [D/E / (k - g)]}
Where: P/E = the earnings multiplier, or Price-to-Earnings ratio, D/E = the dividend payout ratio at t1, k = the required rate of return, and g = the anticipated growth rate of dividends.
As you can see, changes in the spread between the required rate of return and the anticipated growth rate can have a dramatic effect on the earnings multiplier figure for a stock market series. While the earnings multiplier is sensitive to changes in the dividend payout ratio, volatility in this figure is not cause for the increased volatility of the earnings multiplier versus the EPS figure.