S5 Corporation is evaluating an extra dividend versus a share repurchase. In either case, the total payout to the investors will be $10,000. Current earnings are $1 per share and the stock is selling for $50 per share. There are 10,000 shares outstanding.
a. What would be the price of the stock on the ex-dividend date if the firm chooses to distribute earnings in the form of cash dividends? Ignore taxes on dividend income and capital gains while answering this question.
b. What would be the price of the stock if the firm chooses to distribute earnings in the form of repurchases? Again, ignore taxes on dividend income and capital gains while answering this question.