Final answer:
Using the Gordon Growth Model with an earnings retention ratio of 40%, a market capitalization rate of 15%, and an ROE of 18%, the stock's P/E ratio is found to be 7.69.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the stock's Price/Earnings (P/E) ratio given an earnings retention ratio of 40%, a market capitalization rate of 15%, and a Return on Equity (ROE) of 18%, you can apply the Gordon Growth Model which states that P/E = Dividend Payout Ratio / (Market Capitalization Rate - Growth Rate). The growth rate here can be found by multiplying the retention ratio (the proportion of earnings retained in the business) by the ROE.
In this case, the growth rate is 0.40 (retention ratio) × 18% (ROE) = 7.2%. The dividend payout ratio, which is the opposite of the retention ratio, is 1 - 0.40 = 0.60 or 60%. Now, using the Gordon Growth Model, the P/E ratio is calculated as follows: P/E = 0.60 / (0.15 - 0.072) = 0.60 / 0.078 = 7.69.
So, the correct Choice is b. 7.69.