If a company pays dividends on a stock, does that mean that the stock has appreciated in value? why or why not? yes, the payment of dividends indicates that a stock’s value has increased. no, the payment of dividends indicates that a company has earned profits. yes, the payment of dividends indicates that a company’s assets have grown. no, the payment of dividends indicates that a company can repay investors.

Garrett is an executive vice president at samm hardware. he researches a proposal by a larger company, maximum hardware, to combine the two companies. by analyzing past performance, conducting focus groups, and interviewing maximum employees, garrett concludes that maximum has poor profit margins, sells shoddy merchandise, and treats customers poorly. what actions should garrett and samm hardware take? a. turn down the acquisition offer and prepare to resist a hostile takeover. b. attempt a friendly merger and use managerial hubris to improve results at maximum. c. welcome the acquisition and use knowledge transfer to impart sam hardware's management practices. d. do nothing; the two companies cannot combine without samm hardware's explicit consent.