Final answer:
The value of common stock cannot be determined by a single factor, such as market capitalization, dividend yield, price-to-earnings ratio, or book value, as many nuances and market conditions affect stock valuation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing common stock of the same company, none of the options provided (higher market capitalization, higher dividend yield, higher price-to-earnings ratio, higher book value) can be universally said to designate a stock as 'always more valuable.' The value of stock can be influenced by a variety of factors including but not limited to market trends, investor perceptions, and the company's performance and business prospects. Each of the metrics mentioned has its use in certain contexts, but none provides a definitive measure of value in all situations. For instance, a high dividend yield may be attractive to income-seeking investors, whereas growth-oriented investors might be more interested in capital gains and may thus prefer a stock with a higher market capitalization or price-to-earnings ratio, indicating that it may have growth potential.