Answer: 13.88%
Step-by-step explanation:
The cost of equity can be used along with the variables given to calculate the price of a share using the Gordon Growth model so this can be remodeled to solve for the cost of equity.
Price of stock = (Dividend * (1 + growth rate)) / (cost of equity - growth rate)
35 = (2.96 * (1 + 5%)) / (cost of equity - 5%)
35 = 3.108 / (cost of equity - 5%)
(cost of equity - 5%) * 35 = 3.108
Cost of equity - 5% = 3.108 / 35
Cost of Equity = (3.108 / 35) + 5%
= 13.88%