Math Problem Statement

You purchased Butterfly Wing Corporation stock exactly one year ago at a price of $75.34 per share. Over the past year, the stock paid dividends of $2.44 per share. Today, you sold your stock and earned a total return of 14.96 percent. What was the price at which you sold the stock?

Multiple Choice

$88.78

$86.61

$92.38

$84.17

$90.94

Solution

To calculate the selling price of the stock, let's use the total return formula:

Total Return=(Selling PricePurchase Price+Dividends)Purchase Price\text{Total Return} = \frac{(\text{Selling Price} - \text{Purchase Price} + \text{Dividends})}{\text{Purchase Price}}

Given values:

  • Total Return = 14.96% = 0.1496
  • Purchase Price = $75.34
  • Dividends = $2.44

Rearrange to find the Selling Price:

0.1496=(Selling Price75.34+2.44)75.340.1496 = \frac{(\text{Selling Price} - 75.34 + 2.44)}{75.34}

0.1496×75.34=Selling Price75.34+2.440.1496 \times 75.34 = \text{Selling Price} - 75.34 + 2.44

Calculating this step-by-step:

  1. 0.1496×75.34=11.2768640.1496 \times 75.34 = 11.276864
  2. 11.276864+75.342.44=Selling Price11.276864 + 75.34 - 2.44 = \text{Selling Price}
  3. Selling Price=84.17\text{Selling Price} = 84.17

So, the correct answer is:

$84.17

Would you like further details on the calculations, or do you have any questions?


  1. What is the formula to calculate total return on a stock investment?
  2. How does the dividend payment affect the total return calculation?
  3. Why is it necessary to consider the initial purchase price in return calculations?
  4. How would the answer change if the dividend were higher?
  5. What other factors could affect the stock's selling price?

Tip: Always ensure to adjust for dividends when calculating total return on stock investments.

Ask a new question for Free

By Image

Drop file here or Click Here to upload

Math Problem Analysis

Mathematical Concepts

Finance
Percentage Calculations
Return on Investment

Formulas

Total Return = (Selling Price - Purchase Price + Dividends) / Purchase Price

Theorems

-

Suitable Grade Level

College Level