Answer and Explanation:
a. The computation of the equity cost of capital is shown below:
As we know that
Expected rate of return = Risk free rate + Risk Premium × Beta
= 5.20% + 4.90% × 1.30
= 11.57%
b. Now the rate at which the dividend should be grow is
Value of the stock = Expected dividend ÷ (cost of equity - growth rate)
$38 = $2 ÷ (11.57% - growth rate)
so, the growth rate is 6.31%