Final answer:
The increasing stock price is least likely to limit the amount of cash dividends a firm can pay.
Step-by-step explanation:
The least likely to limit the amount of cash dividends a firm can pay is the increasing stock price.
Lack of retained earnings, a bond indenture covenant, state laws, and a bankruptcy proceeding can all limit the amount of cash dividends a firm can pay.
However, an increasing stock price does not directly limit the amount of cash dividends a firm can pay. In fact, a higher stock price may even attract more investors and potentially increase the firm's ability to pay dividends.