Assume a company's ROE is 14% and the required return on equity is 13%. All else remaining equal, if there is a decrease in a firm's retention rate, a stock's value as estimated by the constant growth dividend discount model (DDM) will most likely:（）
A. increase.
B. decrease.
C. not change.
参考答案：B
解析：
In this case, reduction in earnings retention will likely lower the P/E ratio. The logic is as follows: Because earnings retention impacts both the numerator (dividend payout) and denominator (g) of the P/E ratio, the impact of a change in earnings retention depends upon the relationship of k and ROE. If the company is earning a higher rate on new projects than the rate required by the market (ROE ＞ ke), investors will likely prefer that the company retain more earnings. Since an increase in the dividend payout would decrease earnings retention, the P/E ratio would fall, as investors will value the company lower if it retains a lower percentage of earnings.
