The standard deviation for a set of stock returns can be calculated as the: Select one: a. variance squared. b. average squared difference between the actual return and the average return. c. average return divided by N minus one, where N is the number of returns. d. positive square root of the variance. e. positive square root of the average return.

Shrieves casting company is considering adding a new line to its product mix, and the capital budgeting analysis is being conducted by sidney johnson, a recently graduated mba. the production line would be set up in unused space in the main plant. the machinery’s invoice price would be approximately $200,000, another $10,000 in shipping charges would be required, and it would cost an additional $30,000 to install the equipment. the machinery has an economic life of 4 years, and shrieves has obtained a special tax ruling that places the equipment in the macrs 3-year class. the machinery is expected to have a salvage value of $25,000 after 4 years of use. the new line would generate incremental sales of 1,250 units per year for 4 years at an incremental cost of $100 per unit in the first year, excluding depreciation. each unit can be sold for $200 in the first year. the sales price and cost are both expected to increase by 3% per year due to inflation. further, to handle the new line, the firm’s net working capital would have to increase by an amount equal to 12% of sales revenues. the firm’s tax rate is 40%, and its overall weighted average cost of capital, which is the risk-adjusted cost of capital for an average project (r), is 10%. define “incremental cash flow.” (1) should you subtract interest expense or dividends when calculating project cash flow?

Two assets have the following expected returns and standard deviations when the risk-free rate is 5%: asset a e(ra) = 18.5% σa = 20% asset b e(rb) = 15% σb = 27% an investor with a risk aversion of a = 3 would find that on a risk-return basis. a. only asset a is acceptable b. only asset b is acceptable c. neither asset a nor asset b is acceptable d. both asset a and asset b are acceptable

When used-car dealers signal the quality of a used car with a warranty, a. buyers believe the signal because the cost of a false signal is high b. it is not rational to believe the signal because some used-car dealers are crooked c. the demand for lemons is eliminated d. the price of a lemon rises above the price of a good used car because warranty costs on lemons are greater than warranty costs on good used cars