Final answer:
The required rate of return for Mudd Enterprises can be calculated using the CAPM formula and is found to be 20.34% when factoring in the given parameters of inflation rate, real risk-free rate, market risk premium, and the beta for Mudd.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the required rate of return for Mudd Enterprises, we use the Capital Asset Pricing Model (CAPM). The formula for CAPM is given by: expected rate of return = risk-free rate + beta * (market risk premium).
Given that the expected rate of inflation is 3.34%, the real risk-free rate is 2.0%, the market risk premium is 7.5%, and Mudd's beta is 2.0, we first adjust the risk-free rate to reflect the expected inflation:
Nominal risk-free rate = Real risk-free rate + Expected inflation rate
Nominal risk-free rate = 2.0% + 3.34% = 5.34%
Now we apply the CAPM formula:
Expected rate of return = Nominal risk-free rate + Beta * Market risk premium
Expected rate of return = 5.34% + 2.0 * 7.5% = 5.34% + 15% = 20.34%
Therefore, the required rate of return for Mudd Enterprises is 20.34%, rounded to two decimal places.