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Principles of Managerial Finance, Brief Ed., 8e (Zutter/Smart)
Chapter 7 Stock Valuation

7.1 Differences between debt and equity

1) Unlike creditors, equityholders are owners of the firm.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Voice in Management
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-14
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

2) Unlike equityholders, creditors are owners of the firm.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Voice in Management
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-14
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

3) Holders of equity have claims on both income and assets that are secondary to the claims of
creditors.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Claims on Income and Assets
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-14
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

4) The tax deductibility of interest lowers the cost of debt financing.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Tax Treatment
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-14
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

5) Interest paid to bondholders is tax deductible.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Tax Treatment
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

1
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
6) Dividends paid to stockholders are tax deductible.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Tax Treatment
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

7) Which of the following is an advantage for a firm to issue common stock over long-term debt?
A) the cost of equity financing being less than the cost of debt financing
B) the primary claim of equityholders on income and assets in the event of liquidation
C) no maturity date on which the par value of the issue must be repaid
D) the tax deductibility of dividends which lowers the cost of equity financing
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Differences Between Debt And Equity
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

8) Which of the following is a difference between common stock and bonds?


A) Bondholders have a voice in management; common stockholders do not.
B) Bondholders have a senior claim on assets and income relative to stockholders.
C) Stocks have a stated maturity but bonds do not.
D) Dividend paid to stockholders is tax-deductible but interest paid to bondholders are not.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Differences Between Debt And Equity
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

9) Holders of equity capital ________.


A) own the firm
B) receive interest payments
C) receive guaranteed income
D) have loaned money to the firm
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Voice in Management
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-15
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

2
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
10) Because equityholders are the last to receive any distribution of assets as a result of
bankruptcy proceedings, they expect ________.
A) fixed dividend payments
B) greater returns from their investment than the return that bondholders expect
C) all profits to be paid out in dividends
D) warrants to be attached to the stock issue
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Claims on Income and Assets
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

11) If bankruptcy were to occur, ________ would have the first claim on assets.
A) preferred stockholders
B) unsecured creditors
C) equity stockholders
D) secured creditors
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Claims on Income and Assets
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-15
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

7.2 Common and preferred stock

1) The market value of common stock is related to its par value because both are sensitive to the
reactions of investors to new information.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

2) Common stockholders are often referred to as residual claimants.


Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

3
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
3) Common stock can be either privately owned by private investors or publicly owned by public
investors.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

4) The market value of common stock is completely unrelated to its par value.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

5) The par value on a common stock is used as a basis for determining its fixed dividend.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

6) The number of authorized shares of common stock is always greater than or equal to the
number of outstanding shares of common stock.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

7) The number of outstanding shares of common stock is always greater than or equal to the
number of authorized shares of common stock.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

4
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
8) Supervoting shares of common stock provide shareholders with more votes per share
compared with ordinary shares of common stock.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

9) Most investors pay taxes on dividends at the same rate at which their ordinary income is
taxed.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

10) Treasury stocks held within the corporation do not have voting rights but have a claim on
assets in liquidation.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

11) Regarding the tax treatment of payments to securities holders, it is TRUE that ________.
A) interest and preferred stock dividends are not tax-deductible, while common stock dividends
are tax deductible
B) interest and preferred stock dividends are tax-deductible, while common stock dividends are
not tax-deductible
C) common stock dividends and preferred stock dividends are tax-deductible, while interest is
not tax-deductible
D) common stock dividends and preferred stock dividends are not tax-deductible, while interest
is usually tax-deductible
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Common and Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 1
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

5
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
12) Which of the following is TRUE of outstanding shares?
A) A firm cannot sell more shares than the outstanding shares mentioned in the charter.
B) Authorized shares become outstanding shares when they are issued or sold to investors.
C) Outstanding shares are indicated in a firm's corporate charter.
D) Outstanding shares are the shares repurchased by the firm.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

13) Shares of stock currently owned by a firm's shareholders are called ________.
A) authorized shares
B) issued shares
C) outstanding shares
D) treasury shares
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

14) If a firm has class A and class B common stock outstanding, it usually means that ________.
A) each class receives a different dividend
B) the par value of each class is different
C) the dividend paid to one of the classes is tax deductible by the corporation
D) the classes have different voting rights
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

15) Common stockholders expect to earn a return by receiving ________.


A) semiannual interest
B) fixed periodic payments
C) dividends
D) annual interest
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
6
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
16) The purpose of nonvoting common stock is to ________.
A) limit the voting power of the management
B) allow the minority interest to elect one director
C) raise capital without giving up any voting control
D) give preference on distribution of earnings to those shareholders who own the stock
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

17) A proxy statement gives shareholders the right ________.


A) of one vote for each share owned
B) to give up their vote to another party
C) to maintain their proportionate ownership in the corporation when new common stock is
issued
D) to sell their share of stock at a premium
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

18) A proxy battle is the attempt by ________.


A) the creditors of a bankrupt corporation to seize assets of the corporation
B) the management to dismiss the board of directors for their incapability to manage the
operations
C) a nonmanagement group to unseat the existing management and gain control of the firm
D) the employees to form trade unions to influence decisions on behalf of members
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

7
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
19) The attempt by a nonmanagement group to gain control of the management of a firm by
soliciting a sufficient number of proxy votes is called a ________.
A) hostile takeover
B) bankruptcy proceeding
C) proxy battle
D) management buyout
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

20) In a ________, new shares are sold to the existing shareholders.


A) private placement
B) public offering
C) rights offering
D) direct placement
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Issuing Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

21) Treasury stock refers to the ________.


A) sale of stock at a price greater than the par value
B) stock issued by the US government
C) repurchase of outstanding stock
D) authorization of additional shares of stock by the board of directors
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Issuing Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

8
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
22) Which of the following is TRUE of the issuance of nonvoting common stock?
A) It is issued in the event of a hostile takeover to preserve the interests of existing owners.
B) It helps the corporation to raise capital through the sale of common stock, without giving up
its voting control.
C) It helps the existing stockholders to automatically transfer their voting rights to new
stockholders without any legal proceeding.
D) It tends to result in the dilution of voting rights of current stockholders.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Issuing Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

23) Which of the following is TRUE of par value of a common stock?


A) It is determined on the basis of the stock's market value.
B) It is an arbitrary value established for legal purposes in a firm's corporate charter.
C) It indicates the market value at which the stock was originally sold.
D) It allows stockholders to purchase additional shares at a price below the market price.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 3
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

24) A firm issued 5,000 shares of $1 par-value common stock, receiving proceeds of $20 per
share. The amount recorded for the paid-in capital in excess of par account is ________.
A) $5,000
B) $95,000
C) $100,000
D) $0
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

9
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
25) A firm issued 10,000 shares of $2 par-value common stock, receiving proceeds of $40 per
share. The amount recorded for the paid-in capital in excess of par account is ________.
A) $420,000
B) $380,000
C) $400,000
D) $800,000
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

26) A firm issued 10,000 shares of no par-value common stock, receiving proceeds of $40 per
share. The amount recorded is ________.
A) $0 in the Common Stock account
B) $0 in the Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par account
C) $400,000 in the Common Stock account
D) $400,000 in the Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par account
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

27) ________ allows stockholders to purchase additional shares at a price below the market
price, in direct proportion to their number of owned shares.
A) A rights offering
B) Treasury stock
C) Preemptive rights
D) Proxy statements
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

10
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
28) Which of the following is TRUE of a common stock?
A) It gives voting rights which permit determination of the amount of dividend receivable.
B) It gives claims on income and assets which are superior to the claims of creditors of the firm.
C) Dividends on common stock are fully tax-deductible.
D) There is no fixed dividend payment obligation for the company.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

29) Stock rights provide the stockholder with ________.


A) the right to purchase additional shares in direct proportion to their number of owned shares
B) the right to elect the board of directors
C) cumulative voting privileges over the preference stockholders
D) the opportunity to receive extraordinary earnings
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

30) The preemptive right gives shareholders the right ________.


A) to caste one vote for each share owned at the annual meeting of the company
B) to give up their vote to another party if they do not attend the annual meeting
C) to maintain their proportionate ownership in the corporation when new common stock is
issued
D) to sell their share of stock at a premium in the event of liquidation
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-03
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

11
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
31) A firm has the balance sheet accounts, Common Stock and Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par,
with values of $10,000 and $250,000, respectively. The firm has 10,000 common shares
outstanding. If the firm had a par value of $1, the stock originally sold for ________.
A) $24/share
B) $25/share
C) $26/share
D) $30/share
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

32) A firm has the balance sheet accounts, Common Stock and Paid-in Capital in Excess of Par,
with values of $40,000 and $500,000, respectively. The firm has 40,000 common shares
outstanding. If the firm had a par value of $1, the stock originally sold for ________.
A) $11.50/share
B) $12.50/share
C) $13.50/share
D) $15.50/share
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

33) Preferred stock is a special form of stock having a fixed periodic dividend that must be paid
prior to payment of any interest to outstanding bonds.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

34) In the case of liquidation, bondholders are paid before preferred stockholders, who in turn
are paid before common stockholders.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

12
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
35) In the case of liquidation, common stockholders are paid before preferred stockholders, who
in turn are paid before bondholders.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

36) Preferred stock has characteristics of debt since it provides a fixed periodic cash payment.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

37) The amount of the claim of preferred stockholders in liquidation is normally equal to the
market value of the preferred stock.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

38) Cumulative preferred stocks are preferred stocks for which all passed (unpaid) dividends in
arrears must be paid along with the current dividend prior to the payment of dividends to
common stockholders.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

39) Because preferred stock is a form of ownership and has no maturity date, its claims on
income and assets are secondary to those of the firm's creditors.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

13
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
40) No-par preferred stock has no stated face value, but its annual dividend is stated as a
percentage of the market value.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

41) A preferred stockholder is sometimes referred to as a residual owner, since in essence he or


she receives what is left—the residual—after all other claims on the firm's income and assets
have been satisfied.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

42) A call feature is a feature that allows preferred stockholders to change each share into a
stated number of shares of common stock.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

43) Although preferred stock provides added financial leverage in much the same way as bonds,
it differs from bonds in that the issuer can pass a dividend payment without suffering the
consequences that result when an interest payment is missed on a bond.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

44) Preferred stockholders are often referred to as residual claimants.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

14
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
45) Which of the following typically applies to common stock but not to preferred stock?
A) par value
B) dividend yield
C) legally considered as equity in the firm
D) voting rights
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Common and Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

46) Which of the following is TRUE of common stocks?


A) The common stock of a corporation can be either privately or publicly owned.
B) Firms often issue common stock with no par value.
C) Preemptive rights often result in a dilution of ownership.
D) A firm's corporate charter indicates the rate at which dividends are paid.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Common and Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

47) Which of the following is TRUE of equity?


A) equityholders do not have voting rights.
B) It does not mature, so repayment is not required.
C) It is a temporary form of financing for a firm.
D) Equity financing is obtained from creditors.
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-14
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

48) Equity capital can be raised through ________.


A) the money market
B) the NYSE bond market
C) the stock market
D) a private placement with an insurance company
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-15
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
15
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
49) Common stockholders are sometimes referred to as ________.
A) non preemptive right holders
B) managers
C) creditors
D) residual owners
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

50) Which of the following is TRUE of common stock?


A) It is often considered quasi-debt due to fixed payment obligation.
B) It pays a fixed dividend.
C) It gives the holder voting rights which permit selection of the firm's directors.
D) Its holders have priority over preferred stockholders in the event of liquidation of assets.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

51) A proxy statement is a statement transferring ________.


A) the ownership of a bondholder to another party
B) the votes of a bondholder to the another party
C) the votes of a stockholder to another party
D) the ownership of a stockholder to another party
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

16
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
52) Which of the following is typically a feature of common stock?
A) Most common stocks are callable.
B) Most common stocks are cumulative.
C) Common stocks have a maturity value.
D) Common stocks may or may not pay dividends.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

53) The claims of the equityholders on a firm's assets have priority over the claims of creditors
because the equityholders are the owners of the firm.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

54) Preemptive rights allow common stockholders to maintain their proportionate ownership in
the corporation when when the firm sells new shares of stock.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

55) Stock rights allow stockholders to purchase additional shares of stock in direct proportion to
the number of shares they own.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

56) A common stockholder has no guarantee of receiving any cash inflows, but receives what is
left after all other claims on the firm's income and assets have been satisfied.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
17
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
57) Preemptive rights allow existing shareholders to maintain voting control and protect
themselves against the dilution of their ownership.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

58) Treasury stock generally does not have voting rights, does not earn dividends, and does not
have a claim on assets in liquidation.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

59) Treasury stock is generally reclassified as class B common stock and has voting rights.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

60) Dilution of ownership occurs when a new stock issue results in each present stockholder
having a larger number of shares and, thus, a claim to a larger part of the firm's earnings than
previously.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

18
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
61) ADRs are ________.
A) securities, backed by American depositary shares (ADSs), that permit U.S. investors to hold
shares of non-U.S. companies and trade them in U.S. markets
B) securities, backed by Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), that permit all investors to
hold shares of U.S. companies and trade them in U.S. markets
C) securities, backed by American depositary shares (ADSs), that permit non-U.S. investors to
hold shares of U.S. companies and trade them in U.S. markets
D) securities, backed by Securities Exchange Commission (SEC), that permit U.S. investors to
hold shares of non-U.S. companies and trade them in international markets.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

62) ________ are promised a fixed periodic dividend that must be paid prior to paying any
common stock dividends.
A) Preferred stockholders
B) Common stockholders
C) Bondholders
D) Creditors
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

63) Dividends in arrears that must be paid to the preferred stockholders before payment of
dividends to common stockholders are ________.
A) cumulative
B) nonparticipating
C) participating
D) convertible
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

19
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
64) An 8 percent preferred stock with a market price of $110 per share and a $100 par value pays
a cash dividend of ________.
A) $4.00
B) $8.00
C) $8.80
D) $80.00
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

65) From a corporation's point of view, a disadvantage of issuing preferred stock is ________.
A) that it increases financial leverage
B) that it has to give fixed payments as well as voting rights to the holders
C) its excellent merger security
D) that the dividends are not tax-deductible
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

66) Which of the following is a disadvantage of issuing preferred stock from the common
stockholders' perspective?
A) There is a seniority of preferred stockholder's claim over common stockholders.
B) The preferred stockholders have superior voting rights in the selection of board of directors.
C) The preferred stockholders are always paid a higher proportion of dividend payments.
D) Issuance of preferred stocks will result in a higher risk, to the disadvantage of common
stockholders.
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

20
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
67) The risk cost of preferred stock is ________.
A) lower than the cost of long-term debt.
B) higher than the cost of common stock.
C) higher than the cost of long-term debt and lower than the cost of common stock.
D) lower than the cost of convertible long-term debt and higher than the cost of common stock.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

68) Preferred stock is characterized by ________.


A) voting rights
B) maturity date
C) quasi-debt nature
D) preemptive rights
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

69) A firm has issued cumulative preferred stock with a $100 par value and a 12 percent annual
dividend. For the past two years, the board of directors has decided not to pay a dividend. At the
end of the current year, the preferred stockholders must be paid ________ prior to paying the
common stockholders.
A) $0/share
B) $12/share
C) $24/share
D) $36/share
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

21
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
70) A firm has an outstanding issue of 1,000 shares of preferred stock with a $100 par value and
an 8 percent annual dividend. The firm also has 5,000 shares of common stock outstanding. If
the stock is cumulative and the board of directors has not paid the preferred dividend for the
prior two years, how much must the preferred stockholders be paid (in total, not per share) prior
to paying dividends to common stockholders at the end of third year?
A) $8,000
B) $16,000
C) $24,000
D) $25,000
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

71) A violation of preferred stock restrictive covenants usually permits preferred shareholders to
________.
A) force the company into bankruptcy
B) suit against the shareholders
C) force the retirement of the preferred stock at or above its par value
D) force the company to repurchase the shares at a stated amount below par
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

72) Which of the following is TRUE of preferred stocks?


A) Preferred stock with a conversion feature allows holders to change each share into a stated
number of shares of common stock.
B) Like bonds, preferred stocks are due for payment on a fixed maturity date along with interest.
C) Restrictive covenants of preferred stocks include provisions about listing of stocks on the
securities exchange and determining the price of stock.
D) A firm's bond indenture indicates how many authorized preferred shares and bonds it can
issue.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

22
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
73) Preferred stockholders ________.
A) do not have preference over common stockholders in the case of liquidation
B) have preference over bondholders in the case of liquidation
C) do not have preference over bondholders in the case of liquidation
D) have preference over creditors in the case of liquidation
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

74) Which of the following is usually a right of a preferred stockholder?


A) right to convert shares to common stock on demand
B) preemptive right to participate in the issuance of new common shares
C) right to receive dividend payments before any dividends are paid to common stockholders
D) right to sue company in bankruptcy proceedings if promised preferred dividends are not paid
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

75) Which of the following is typically a feature of preferred stocks?


A) They are settled prior to common stocks during liquidation.
B) They are mostly noncumulative in nature.
C) They are paid dividends that grow at a constant rate.
D) They carry voting rights and have maturity date.
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

23
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
76) Identify whether the key characteristic describes common stock (CS) or preferred stock (PS).
________ 1. Source of financing which places minimum constraints on the firm
________ 2. Used by young firms receiving investment funds from venture capital firms
________ 3. Potential dilution of earnings and voting power
________ 4. Fixed financial obligation
________ 5. Increases the firm's borrowing power
________ 6. May have cumulative and participating features
________ 7. May be convertible into another type of security
________ 8. Last to receive earnings or distribution of assets in the event of bankruptcy
________ 9. Frequently includes a call feature
Answer:
1. CS
2. PS
3. CS
4. PS
5. CS
6. PS
7. PS
8. CS
9. PS
Diff: 1
Topic: Common and Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

77) Edward Accounting Services has an outstanding issue of 1,000 shares preferred stock with a
$100 par value, an 9 percent annual dividend, and 5,000 shares of common stock outstanding. If
the stock is cumulative and the board of directors has not paid the preferred dividend for the last
two years, how much must preferred stockholders be paid (in total, not per share) before
dividends are paid to common stockholders?
Answer: The amount to be paid to preferred stockholders prior to paying dividends to common
stockholders = Cumulative preferred dividends + Current year preferred dividend = $9,000 × 2 +
$9,000 = $27,000
Diff: 1
Topic: Preferred Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

24
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
78) American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) are claims issued by U.S. banks representing
ownership of shares of a foreign company's stock held on deposit by the U.S. bank in the foreign
market and issued in dollars to U.S. investors.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Issuing Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 2
Learning Outcome: F-15
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

7.3 Common stock valuation

1) Which of the following is TRUE of securities analysts?


A) They raise initial external equity finance privately for firms.
B) They are primarily involved in underwriting of securities.
C) They find prospective buyers for new stocks or bonds issue.
D) They use a variety of models and techniques to value stocks.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Issuing Common Stock
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

2) Investors purchase a stock when they believe that it is undervalued and sell when they feel
that it is overvalued.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

3) In an efficient market, the expected return and the required return are equal.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Market Efficiency
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

25
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
4) In an efficient market, stock prices adjust quickly to new public information.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Market Efficiency
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

5) In an inefficient market, stock prices adjust quickly to new public information.


Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Market Efficiency
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

6) In an inefficient market, securities are typically in equilibrium, which means that they are
fairly priced and that their expected returns equal their required returns.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Market Efficiency
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

7) In an efficient market, securities are typically in equilibrium, which means that they are fairly
priced and that their expected returns equal their required returns.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Market Efficiency
Learning Obj.: LG 3
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

8) To a buyer, an asset's value represents the minimum price that he or she would pay to acquire
it.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

26
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
9) If the expected return is less than the required return, investors will sell the asset, because it is
not expected to earn a return commensurate with its risk.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

10) If the expected return were above the required return, investors would buy an asset, driving
its price up and its expected return down.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

11) Efficient-market hypothesis is the theory describing the behavior of a market in which
securities are typically in equilibrium, security prices fully reflect all public information
available and react swiftly to new information, and, because stocks are fairly priced, investors
need not waste time looking for mispriced securities.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

12) If a market is truly efficient, investors should not waste their time trying to find and
capitalize on mispriced securities.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

13) Behavioral finance is a growing body of research that anomalies that are not consistent with
the efficient markets theory.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

27
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
14) The constant growth model is an approach to dividend valuation that assumes a constant
future dividend.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

15) The constant growth model is an approach to dividend valuation that assumes that dividends
grow at a constant rate indefinitely.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

16) Rational buyers and sellers use their assessment of an asset's risk and return to determine its
value. Relative to this concept, which of the following is TRUE?
A) To a buyer the asset's value represents the minimum price that he or she would pay to acquire
it.
B) To a seller the asset's value represents the maximum sale price.
C) To a buyer the asset's value represents the maximum price that he or she would pay to acquire
it.
D) To a seller the asset's value represents the price at which he acquired the asset.
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Market Efficiency
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

17) According to the efficient market hypothesis, prices of actively traded stocks ________.
A) can be under- or overvalued in an efficient market
B) can only be undervalued in an efficient market
C) do not differ from their true values in an efficient market
D) can only be overvalued in an efficient market
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

28
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
18) If an asset's expected return is less than its required return, rational investors will ________.
A) buy the asset, which will drive the price up and cause expected return to reach the level of the
required return
B) sell the asset, which will drive the price down and cause the expected return to reach the level
of the required return
C) sell the asset, which will drive the price up and cause the expected return to reach the level of
the required return
D) buy the asset, since price is expected to increase
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

19) If the expected return is above the required return on an asset, rational investors will
________.
A) buy the asset, which will drive the price up and cause expected return to reach the level of the
required return
B) buy the asset, which will drive the price down and cause the expected return to reach the level
of the required return
C) sell the asset, which will drive the price up and cause the expected return to reach the level of
the required return
D) sell the asset, since price is expected to decrease
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

20) Which of the following is TRUE of efficient-market hypothesis?


A) Securities are typically in disequilibrium, meaning they are fairly priced and their expected
returns are more than their required returns.
B) Insider trading scandals have proven that stocks are not fully and fairly priced; as a result, it
would be worthwhile for investors should spend time searching for mispriced (over- or
undervalued) stocks.
C) At any point in time, security prices fully reflect all internal information available about the
firm and its securities, and these prices are insensitive to new information.
D) Since stocks are fully and fairly priced, it follows that investors should not waste their time
trying to find and capitalize on miss-priced (undervalued or overvalued) securities.
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: The Efficient-Market Hypothesis
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
29
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
21) Preferred stock is valued as if it were a ________.
A) fixed-income obligation
B) bond
C) perpetuity
D) common stock
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

22) A firm has an issue of preferred stock outstanding that has a stated annual dividend of $4.
The required return on the preferred stock has been estimated to be 16 percent. The value of the
preferred stock is ________.
A) $64
B) $16
C) $25
D) $50
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

23) A certain preferred stock will pay a dividend of $1.20 per share till perpetuity. If the required
return is 10 percent, the value of the preferred stock is ________.
A) $120
B) $10
C) $12
D) $100
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

30
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
24) A firm has an issue of preferred stock outstanding that has a par value of $100 and a 4%
dividend. If the current market price of the preferred stock is $50, the yield on the preferred stock
is ________.
A) 4.00%
B) 6.00%
C) 8.00%
D) 12.00%
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

25) The ________ is utilized to value preferred stock.


A) capital asset pricing model
B) arbitrage pricing model
C) zero-growth model
D) Black-Scholes model
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

26) In the Gordon model, the value of a common stock is the ________.
A) net value of all assets which are liquidated for their exact accounting value
B) actual amount each common stockholder would expect to receive if the firm's assets are sold
C) present value of a non-growing dividend stream
D) present value of a constant growing dividend stream
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

31
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
27) Emmy Lou, Inc. has an expected dividend next year of $5.60 per share, a growth rate of
dividends of 10 percent, and a required return of 20 percent. The value of a share of Emmy Lou,
Inc.'s common stock is ________.
A) $28.00
B) $56.00
C) $22.40
D) $18.67
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

28) A firm has experienced a constant annual rate of dividend growth of 9 percent on its
common stock and expects the dividend per share in the coming year to be $2.70. The required
return on the firm's stock is 12 percent. The value of the firm's common stock is ________.
A) $22.50/share
B) $9/share
C) $90/share
D) $30/share
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

29) You are planning to purchase the stock of Ted's Sheds Inc. and you expect it to pay a
dividend of $3 in 1 year, $4.25 in 2 years, and $6.00 in 3 years. You expect to sell the stock for
$100 in 3 years. If your required return for purchasing the stock is 12 percent, how much would
you pay for the stock today?
A) $75.45
B) $77.24
C) $81.52
D) $85.66
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

32
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
30) Smith Corporation's common stock is expected to pay a dividend of $3.00 forever and
currently sells for $21.42. What is the required rate of return?
A) 10%
B) 12%
C) 13%
D) 14%
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

31) Julian is considering purchasing the stock of Pepsi Cola because he really loves the taste of
Pepsi. What should Julian be willing to pay for Pepsi today if it is expected to pay a $2 dividend
in one year and he expects dividends to grow at 5 percent indefinitely? Julian requires a 12
percent return to make this investment.
A) $28.57
B) $29.33
C) $31.43
D) $43.14
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

32) Harry Corporation's common stock currently sells for $179.85 per share. Harry paid a
dividend of $10.18 yesterday, and dividends are expected to grow at a constant rate of 6 percent
forever. If the required rate of return is 12 percent, what will Harry Corporation's stock sell for
one year from now, immediately after it pays its next dividend?
A) $190.64
B) $187.04
C) $195.40
D) $179.84
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

33
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
33) Tangshan China Company's stock is currently selling for $80.00 per share. The expected
dividend one year from now is $4.00 and the required return is 13 percent. What is Tangshan's
dividend growth rate assuming that dividends are expected to grow at a constant rate forever?
A) 8%
B) 9%
C) 10%
D) 11%
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

34) Tangshan China's stock is currently selling for $160.00 per share and the firm's dividends are
expected to grow at 5 percent indefinitely. Assuming Tangshan China's most recent dividend
was $5.50, what is the required rate of return on Tangshan's stock?
A) 7.3%
B) 8.6%
C) 9.5%
D) 10.6%
Answer: B
Diff: 2
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

35) Daniel Custom Cycles' common stock currently pays no dividends. The company plans to
begin paying dividends beginning 3 years from today. The first dividend will be $3.00 and
dividends will grow at 5 percent per year thereafter. Given a required return of 15 percent, what
would you pay for the stock today?
A) $25.33
B) $18.73
C) $29.86
D) $22.68
Answer: D
Diff: 2
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

34
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
36) Jia's Fashions recently paid a $2 annual dividend. The company is projecting that its
dividends will grow by 20 percent next year, 12 percent annually for the two years after that, and
then at 6 percent annually thereafter. Based on this information, how much should Jia's Fashions
common stock sell for today if her required return is 10.5%?
A) $54.90
B) $60.80
C) $59.16
D) $69.30
Answer: C
Diff: 2
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

37) The board of directors of Ride World, Inc. has declared $5.00 common stock dividend,
payable one year from today, and accepted a plan to freeze the dividend at $5 per year
indefinitely. What is the value of the Ride World's common stock if the required rate of interest
is 15 percent?
Answer: P = D / r = $5 / 0.15 = $33.33
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

38) Jia's Kitchen Stuff has recently sold 1,000 shares of preferred stock. What is the per share
value of the stock assuming 10 percent required rate of return and a preferred dividend of $6.75?
Answer: P = D / r = $6.75 / 0.10 = $67.50
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

39) Aunt Tilly's Fur Company has been experiencing several years of financial difficulty and,
thus, has considered maintaining its dividend payment at $2.50 indefinitely. What is the value of
its common stock if the required rate of return is 8.5 percent?
Answer: P = D / r = $2.50 / 0.085 = $29.41
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

35
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
40) In response to the stock market's reaction to its dividend policy, the Nico's Toy Company has
decided to increase its dividend payment at a rate of 4 percent per year. The firm's most recent
dividend is $3.25 and the required rate of interest is 9 percent. What is the maximum you would
be willing to pay for a share of the stock?
Answer: P = D1 / (r - g) = 3.25 × (1 + 0.04) / (0.09 - 0.04) = $67.60
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

41) Uncle Tim's Inventions has an expected dividend next year of $3.60 and a required return of
12 percent. Assuming the same dividend will be paid indefinitely, calculate the value of a share
of common stock assuming a zero growth rate of dividends.
Answer: The value of a share of common stock = = $30

Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

42) Ria's Doll Company has an outstanding preferred issue of stock with a par value of $100 and
an annual dividend of 10 percent (of par). Similar risk preferred stocks are yielding an 11.5
percent annual rate of return.
(a) What is the current value of the outstanding preferred stock?
(b) What will happen to price if the risk-free rate increases? Explain.
Answer:
(a) Current value of the outstanding preferred stock = $100 × 0.10 / 0.115 = $86.96
(b) If the risk-free rate increases, the required rate of return will increase and the price will drop.
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

43) Ted has 10 shares of Grand Company. Based on the company's dividend policy, Ted will
receive a total of $450 a year in perpetuity. What is the value of each share if the appropriate
discount rate is 8 percent?
Answer: Dividend per share = $450 / 10 = $45
P = D / r = 45 / 0.08 = $562.50
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

36
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
44) The Bradshaw Company's most recent dividend was $6.75. The historical dividend payment
by the company shows a constant growth rate of 5 percent per year. What is the maximum you
would be willing to pay for a share of its common stock if your required rate of return is 8
percent?
Answer: D1 = $6.75 × (1 + 0.05) = $7.0875
P = D1 / (r - g) = $7.0875 / (0.08 - 0.05) = $236.25
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

45) Tina's Medical Equipment Company paid a $2.25 common stock dividend last year. The
company's policy is to allow its dividend to grow at 5 percent per year indefinitely. What is the
value of the stock if the required rate of return is 8 percent?
Answer: P = D1 / (r - g) = $2.25 × (1 + 0.05) / (0.08 - 0.05) = $78.75
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

46) Angel recently purchased a block of 100 shares of Hayley's Optical common stock for
$6,000. She expects to receive annual dividends of $400 indefinitely from those shares.
Assuming a discount rate of 8 percent, how does the price Angel paid compare to the value of
the stock?
Answer: The value of the stock is = = $5,000

Angel paid $1,000 more than the value of the stock.


Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

37
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
47) The Oxford Heating Company has been very successful in the past four years. Over these
years, it paid common stock dividend of $4 in the first year, $4.20 in the second year, $4.41 in
the third year, and its most recent dividend was $4.63. The company wishes to continue this
dividend growth indefinitely. What is the value of the company's stock if the required rate of
return is 12 percent?
Answer: Constant growth rate, g = ($4.63 / $4.00) 1 / 3 - 1 = 0.04996, g = 5%
P = D5 / (r - g) = 4.63 (1 + 0.05) / (0.12 - 0.05) = $69.45
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

Table 7.1

48) Xiao Xin owns stock in a company which has paid the annual dividends shown in Table 7.1.
Calculate the growth rate of these dividends.
Answer: Constant growth rate = (2.89 / 1.5) 1 / 5 - 1 = 0.14 = 14%
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

49) Calculate the estimated dividend for 2020. (See Table 7.1)
Answer: D20 = ($2.89) × (1.14) = $3.29
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

38
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
50) The required return is 17 percent. Using the Gordon model, calculate the per share value of
the stock for 2020 (assume the 2020 dividend comes at the end of the year and you want the
value of the stock at the beginning of the year). (See Table 7.1)
Answer: Per share value = = $109.67

Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

51) Julie's X-Ray Company paid $2.00 per share in common stock dividends last year. The
company will allow its dividend to grow at 5 percent for 4 years, and after that the rate of growth
will be 3 percent forever. What is the value of the stock if the required rate of return is 8 percent?
Answer:

D5 = 2.43 (1 + 0.03) = $2.50


P2 = × = $36.81

Value of stock = $36.81 + $7.46 = $44.27


Diff: 2
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

39
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
52) Compute the value of a share of common stock of Lexi's Cookie Company whose most
recent dividend was $2.50 and is expected to grow at 3 percent per year for the next 5 years, after
which the dividend growth rate will increase to 6 percent per year indefinitely. Assume a 10
percent required rate of return.
Answer:

D6 = 2.90 (1 + 0.06) = $3.07


P2 = × = $47.69

Value of stock = $47.66 + $10.32 = $57.99


Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

53) Patrick Company expects to generate free cash flow of $120,000 per year forever. If the
firm's required return is 12 percent, the market value of debt is $300,000, the market value of
preferred stock is $70,000, and the company has 100,000 shares of stock outstanding. What is
the value of Patrick's stock?
A) $6.30
B) $10.00
C) $7.00
D) $9.70
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 4
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

40
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
54) The free cash flow valuation model can be used to determine the value of an entire company
as the present value of its expected free cash flows discounted at the firm's weighted average cost
of capital.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

55) The free cash flow valuation model is based on the same principle as the P/E valuation
approach; that is, the value of a share of stock is the present value of future cash flows.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

56) The free cash flow valuation model is based on the same principle as dividend valuation
models; that is, the value of a share of stock is the present value of future cash flows.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

57) In valuation of common stock, the price/earnings multiple approach usually produces higher
valuations than the book or liquidation values since it considers expected earnings.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

58) The common stock book value model ignores a firm's expected earnings potential and
generally lacks any true relationship to the firm's value in the marketplace.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

41
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
59) The liquidation value per share of common stock is the amount per share of common stock
that would be received if all of a firm's assets were sold for their accounting value and the
proceeds remaining were divided among common stockholders.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

60) The book value per share of common stock is the amount per share of common stock that
would be received if all of a firm's assets were sold for their accounting value and the proceeds
remaining were divided among common stockholders.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

61) Ted Corporation expects to generate free-cash flows of $200,000 per year for the next five
years. Beyond that time, free cash flows are expected to grow at a constant rate of 5 percent per
year forever. If the firm's weighted average cost of capital is 15 percent, the market value of the
firm's debt is $500,000, and Ted has a half million shares of stock outstanding, what is the value
of Ted stock?
A) $2.43
B) $3.43
C) $1.43
D) $0.00
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Basic Common Stock Valuation Equation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

42
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
62) ________ is the value of a firm's ownership in the event that all assets are sold for their exact
accounting value and the proceeds remaining after paying all liabilities (including preferred
stock) are divided among common stockholders.
A) Liquidation value
B) Book value
C) The P/E multiple
D) The present value of the common stock
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

63) ________ is the actual amount each common stockholder would expect to receive if a firm's
assets are sold for their market value, creditors and preferred stockholders are repaid, and any
remaining money is divided among the common stockholders.
A) Liquidation value
B) Book value
C) The P/E multiple
D) The present value of the dividends
Answer: A
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

64) ________ is a guide to a firm's value if it is assumed that investors value the earnings of a
given firm in the same way they do the average firm in the industry.
A) Liquidation value
B) Book value
C) The P/E multiple
D) The present value of the dividends
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

43
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
65) Which of the following valuation methods tends to value stocks more highly than the others
in the list because it considers expected earnings?
A) liquidation value
B) book value
C) P/E multiple
D) present value of the interest
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

66) The use of the ________ is especially helpful in valuing firms that are not publicly traded.
A) liquidation value
B) book value
C) P/E multiple
D) present value of the dividends
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

67) The current price of DEF Corporation stock is $26.50 per share. Earnings next year should
be $2 per share and it should pay a $1 dividend. The P/E multiple is 15 times on average. What
price would you expect for DEF's stock in the future?
A) $13.50
B) $15.00
C) $26.50
D) $30.00
Answer: D
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

44
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
68) At year end, the Tangshan China Company balance sheet showed total assets of $60 million,
total liabilities (including preferred stock) of $45 million, and 1,000,000 shares of common stock
outstanding. Based on this information, Tangshan's book value per share of common stock is
________.
A) $105
B) $10.50
C) $15
D) $150
Answer: C
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

69) At year end, Tangshan China Company balance sheet showed total assets of $60 million,
total liabilities (including preferred stock) of $45 million, and 1,000,000 shares of common stock
outstanding. If Tangshan could sell its assets for $52.5 million, Tangshan's liquidation value per
share of common stock is ________.
A) $15
B) $7.50
C) $52.50
D) $75
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

70) At year end, Tangshan China Company balance sheet showed total assets of $60 million,
total liabilities (including preferred stock) of $45 million, and 1,000,000 shares of common stock
outstanding. Next year, Tangshan is projecting that it will have net income of $1.5 million. If the
average P/E multiple in Tangshan's industry is 15, what should be the price of Tangshan's stock?
A) $15.00
B) $22.50
C) $52.50
D) $75.00
Answer: B
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

45
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
71) China Imports currently has 2,000 shares of common stock outstanding. The firm has assets
of $200,000 and total liabilities including preferred stock of $75,000. Calculate the book value
per share of China Imports common stock.
Answer: Book value per share = = $62.50 per share

Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

72) Based on analysis of the company and expected industry and economic conditions, China
Imports is expected to earn $4.60 per share of common stock next year. The average
price/earnings ratio for firms in the same industry is 8. Calculate the estimated value of a share of
China Imports common stock.
Answer: Estimated value of share price = $4.60 × 8 = $36.80 per share
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

73) Due to growing demand for computer software, the Shine Company has had a very
successful year and expects its earnings per share to grow by 25 percent to reach $5.50 for this
year. Estimate the price of the company's common stock assuming the industry's price/earning
ratio is 12.
Answer: Stock price = (P/E × E) = 12 × $5.50 = $66
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

74) Karina's Caribbean Foods had total assets as recorded on its balance sheet of $1,500,000.
What is the book value of the Karina's common stock if it has $950,000 in liabilities, and 7,500
shares of common stock outstanding?
Answer: Stock price = ($1,500,000 - $950,000) / 7,500 = $73.33
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

46
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
75) Ride World has estimated the market value of its assets to be $1,250,000. What is the value
of Ride World's common stock if it has $900,000 in liabilities, $50,000 in preferred stock, and
7,500 shares of common stock outstanding?
Answer: Stock price = ($1,250,000 - $900,000 - $50,000) / 7,500 = $40
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

76) Smith, Inc. stock currently sells for $75 per share. The firm has total assets of $1,000,000
and total liabilities, including preferred stock, of $350,000. If the firm has 10,000 shares of
common stock outstanding,
(a) what is the book value of each share of common stock?
(b) relative to book value, is the stock overvalued or undervalued in the marketplace?
(c) what is the reason(s) for your answer in (b)?
Answer:
(a) Book value per share = = $65 per share

(b) Overvalued
(c) Market value of the assets is greater than the book value.
Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

77) Smith has current assets of $800,000, which can be liquidated at 90 percent of book value.
Total liabilities, including preferred stock, equal $270,000. The firm has 15,000 shares of
common stock outstanding. What is the liquidation value per share of common stock?
Answer: Liquidation value per share = = $30 per share

Diff: 1
Topic: Other Approaches to Common Stock Valuation
Learning Obj.: LG 5
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

47
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
7.4 Decision making and common stock value

1) Any action taken by a financial manager that increases risk will also increase the required
return.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Decision Making And Common Stock Value
Learning Obj.: LG 6
Learning Outcome: F-01
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

2) An action on the part of a firm that increases the level of expected cash flows without a
corresponding increase in risk should reduce share value; an action that reduces the level of
expected cash flows without a corresponding decline in risk should increase share value.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Changes in Expected Dividends
Learning Obj.: LG 6
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

3) Assuming that economic conditions remain stable, any management action that would cause
current and prospective stockholders to raise their dividend expectations should decrease a firm's
value.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Changes in Expected Dividends
Learning Obj.: LG 6
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

4) The required return can be affected by changes in the risk free rate, even if the risk premium
remains constant.
Answer: TRUE
Diff: 1
Topic: Changes in Risk
Learning Obj.: LG 6
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking

5) If the risk-free rate decreases due to a shift in government policy, the required return goes up.
Answer: FALSE
Diff: 1
Topic: Changes in Risk
Learning Obj.: LG 6
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Analytical Thinking
48
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
6) Milton Glasses recently paid a dividend of $1.70 per share, is currently expected to grow at a
constant rate of 5%, and has a required return of 11%. Milton Glasses has been approached to
buy a new company. Milton estimates if it buys the company, its constant growth rate would
increase to 6.5%, but the firm would also be riskier, therefore increasing the required return of
the company to 12%. Should Milton go ahead with the purchase of the new company?
A) Yes, because the value of the Milton Co. will increase by $3.17 per share
B) Yes, because the value of the Milton Co. will increase by $2.56 per share
C) Yes, because the value of the Milton Co. will increase by $4.59 per share
D) No, because the value of the Milton Co. will decrease by $3.17 per share
Answer: A
Diff: 2
Topic: Combined Effect
Learning Obj.: LG 6
Learning Outcome: F-09
AACSB: Reflective Thinking

49
Copyright © 2019 Pearson Education, Inc.
Another random document with
no related content on Scribd:
nos montagnes, quelque chasseur habitué aux populeux tirés de
Compiègne ou de Fontainebleau.
Mais vainement j’essayai de tous les moyens pour dissuader
Nestor, inventant des mensonges, déclarant la saison mauvaise,
annonçant que l’ablette ne se montrait point et que la truite n’était
pas sortie.
Nestor persista ! il voulait tâter la rivière.
Nous résolûmes de remonter le Jabron, tout en pêchant, depuis
son confluent jusqu’aux papeteries, le Jabron, l’Agabrone rivus des
anciens cadastres, nom que les savants amoureux d’étymologies
étranges et de latin barbare interprètent par rivus aquæ brunæ,
appelant ainsi ruisseau des eaux brunes ou des eaux noires un
ruisseau le plus limpide du monde.
Quelques mouches que nous capturâmes tandis qu’elles se
chauffaient au soleil le long d’un mur, quelques vers de terres
ramassés en un lieu humide qu’on nous indiqua devaient suffire à
garnir l’hameçon.
J’avais exactement prévu : à peine mon ami Nestor eut-il regardé
l’eau de près, qu’il se mit à rire. — « Hein ? c’est donc ça votre
rivière !… et vous voulez me faire croire qu’on prend du poisson là
dedans ?… — Mais… — Le moyen d’amorcer, d’appâter le coup
avec cet enragé courant à fleur de caillou, sautant et bondissant
comme un jeune cabri ? Où trouver un crin assez fin pour que sa
couleur et sa transparence se fassent invisibles dans ces eaux trop
claires ? Quel hameçon fût-il microscopique, pourrait se vanter
d’échapper au milieu d’un tel cristal, à l’œil perspicace et rond du
poisson qui toujours se méfie ?… D’ailleurs, il n’y a pas de poisson !
de quoi vivrait-il sur ces fonds sans herbe ?… — On dit pourtant que
les riants… — Laissez-moi tranquille avec vos riants ! — … Dans les
riants et surtout dans les gouffres… — Quels gouffres ? Je serais
curieux de voir un gouffre. » Nestor raillait encore. Cette idée de
gouffre le séduisit pourtant, et il fut convenu qu’après nous être
reposés un peu et avoir mangé n’importe quoi sur le pouce, au bord
de l’eau, je le conduirais à un gouffre de ma connaissance.
Le gouffre était loin et le soleil piquait, reflété par les cailloux
blancs. Mais la causerie abrégea le chemin. Nestor me développa
ses théories sur la façon logique d’escher. Je l’intéressai à mon tour
en lui apprenant, chose généralement ignorée des Parisiens, que
son crin de Florence et sa racine anglaise n’étaient ni un crin ni une
racine, mais bien un ver à soie mis à tremper dans le vinaigre et
subtilement allongé, alors que gonflé de soie, sur le point de filer son
cocon, il n’est pour ainsi dire qu’une grosse boule d’or fluide. Nestor,
lorsque nous arrivâmes, se trouvait en parfaite bonne humeur.
Mon gouffre est d’ailleurs fait de façon à dérider les plus
moroses : le gourg de nos paysans et le vraie gurges des latins !
Sous un vieux pont, dans une étroite fente, où la rivière tombe en
cascades et subitement s’apaise, ce trou d’eau semble noir au
premier abord et se donne des airs d’abîme. On ne se penche pas
au dessus sans éprouver un petit frisson. Mais l’œil peu à peu
s’habitue et distingue le fond, vaguement. Les parois creusées et
polies laissent voir des bouts de roc qui luisent comme argent,
frappés d’un rayon de soleil à travers le cristal qui tremble. Le bruit
de la chute, dont le grondement unique effrayait, se décompose en
une infinité d’harmonies. Mille chutes minuscules tintent, chaque filet
d’eau chante sa chanson, ce n’est plus l’abîme perfide où se cache
la Lorely, mais la claire grotte virgilienne retentissante de la voix des
Nymphes.
— « Des chevesnes ! » dit Nestor.
— « Ici nous appelons ça des arestons. »
En effet, à deux mètres sous l’eau, une vingtaine d’assez gros
poissons évoluent.
— « Quel malheur que la rivière ne soit pas un tantinet louche…
N’importe, on essaiera quand même. »
Et tandis que je bous d’impatience, croyant toujours voir les
arestons filer, Nestor, avec la lenteur narquoise que met un
pharmacien à boucher, ficeler, étiqueter, coiffer un remède attendu
par le malade, Nestor, posément, monte sa canne, ajuste sa ligne, et
dispose autour de lui une foule d’engins perfectionnés qu’il sort
d’une foule de poches. Enfin, croyant les préparatifs finis, je passe la
boîte à vers et les mouches.
— « Pas encore ! »
C’est maintenant un poids en plomb que Nestor adapte au bout
de la ligne. Allons-nous pêcher avec cet étrange appât ?
— « Pour mesurer le fond mon petit, et savoir où je dois fixer le
flotteur. »
Devant tant de science, je m’incline. Le plomb touche l’eau,
descend… ô surprise ! les arestons se précipitent et viennent cogner
le plomb du nez.
— « Ça mordra ; vite, vite, un ver ! »
Et voilà le ver enferré qui plonge à son tour et se tortille. Mais les
arestons n’approchent plus ; ils se promènent vers l’autre bord avec
une superbe indifférence.
— « Peut-être, insinuai-je, s’imaginent-ils que c’est toujours du
plomb ? »
Nestor, allumé, ne daigne seulement pas répondre à ma sotte
plaisanterie. Nestor enlève le ver et le remplace par une mouche.
Hélas ! les arestons dédaignent la mouche comme ils ont dédaigné
le ver.
— « Il faudrait peut-être des sauterelles… » dit Nestor.
J’en ai vu justement quelques-unes au bord du chemin qui
s’essayaient les ailes dans l’herbe poudreuse. Nous en capturons
deux, au prix de quelles ruses de peau-rouge ! Elle sont vivantes,
appétissantes, elles ne tentent pas l’areston. Nestor s’assied
désespéré, il parle de briser sa ligne. A ce moment, un souvenir
d’enfance me revient : je vois une source dans les prés, là peut-être
se trouve l’appât incomparable. C’est le portefaix (larve, je crois, de
libellule), sorte de ver bizarre promenant au printemps dans les eaux
douces, un long tube qu’il se fabrique lui-même avec des débris de
bois pourri, du sable et de petits fragments de cailloux. J’en
découvre six, j’en découvre douze. Cette fois, les arestons n’y
tiennent plus. Ils accourent et se bousculent à l’appât de cette chair
tendre et friande. Une fois, deux fois, le portefaix est enlevé. Enfin
Nestor ferre d’un coup sec, et jette à ses pieds, palpitant sur le galet
dur, un areston d’une demi-livre.
C’est assez pour sauver l’honneur et nous ménager une rentrée.
La nuit arrive et la ville est loin, il s’agit de plier les lignes. Non sans
regret ! car l’heure est bonne et les arestons mis en appétit, rôdent
au plus près et gobent les insectes à grand bruit sur la surface des
eaux assombries.
DE VAUCLUSE AUX BAUX

I
L’homme de Cadenet. — Sorgues et sorguettes. — Le château du
marquis de Sade. — Vaucluse. La fontaine. — En terre papale.

A l’Isle, il fallut descendre. Un éboulement avait eu lieu sur la


voie, du côté d’Avignon. Le chef de gare, effaré sous sa casquette
d’argent, courait, expédiait des hommes, et le télégraphe allait, allait,
avec son bruit agaçant de machine à coudre.
— Vos chemins de fer ?… soupira quelqu’un à côté de nous.
Ce quelqu’un était un être ambigu : l’air doux avec de fortes
moustaches, et vêtu de drap fin dans ses habits paysans, comme s’il
les eût tirés d’une vieille soutane.
— Vos chemins de fer ? Le diable les enlève !
Et me choisissant, à la provençale, sans que je l’en eusse prié,
pour le confident de ses peines :
— Ce qui m’arrive, Monsieur, n’a pas de nom. Figurez-vous que
j’avais cru pouvoir venir ici et m’en retourner à Cadenet pour cinq
heures. Pas du tout !… Et il y a un mort à Cadenet.
— Un mort ?
— On ne peut l’enterrer sans moi, je suis officier des pompes
funèbres.
Notre pantomime dut témoigner de la juste part que nous
prenions à la douleur de cet honnête homme, car aussitôt, d’un ton
plus dolent encore, il continua :
— Le mort, ce n’est rien, un mort peut attendre. Mais s’il passe
des prisonniers à Cadenet ?
— Des prisonniers ?
— J’ai soumissionné le mois dernier l’entreprise de leur
nourriture.
Nouveau silence, suivi d’un nouveau soupir.
— Et qui fermera l’église ?
— Le Curé parbleu !
— Monsieur le Curé fait sa retraite, et c’est moi qui suis
sacristain.
Puis, absolument accablé :
— Pourvu qu’il n’y ait pas d’incendie. J’ai les clefs de la pompe et
je suis veilleur au château.
— Vous êtes donc tout dans Cadenet ?
— Douze fonctions roulent sur moi : porteur de contraintes,
trompette de ville…
— Et savetier aux moments perdus ! affirma ironiquement, mais
sans rire, en changeant sa pipe de coin, un vieux paysan qui
écoutait.
A ce moment, un télégramme collé sur la vitre du guichet
annonça que le service des trains ne reprendrait pas avant six
heures.
— Et mon mort ? capucin de sort !… s’écriait l’homme de
Cadenet.
Nous résolûmes, nous, de mettre à profit l’aventure pour visiter
Vaucluse et parcourir un peu ce charmant bourg de l’Isle qui, du
temps où la diligence des Alpes le traversait, avait si souvent tenté
ma flânerie, avec ses lices et ses sorgues vertes sous l’ombre
épaisse des platanes.
Sorgue ou sorguette, ce qui veut dire source, est le nom que l’on
donne ici aux petites rivières d’eau de roche, nées de Vaucluse, qui
s’en vont rayonnant vers Carpentras et Avignon, dans la Comté et le
Comtat, et préparent de si agréables surprises de fraîcheur à ceux
qui, sur la foi des récits, croient encore à l’aride Provence.
Il y a, à l’Isle, des sorgues et des sorguettes partout ; partout de
l’eau courante, des ponts, des écluses, et des roues de moulin
tournant paresseusement avec de longues mousses qui s’égouttent.
On s’embarqua sur un omnibus, l’omnibus de l’hôtel de Laure et
Pétrarque, ou de Pétrarque et Laure, je ne sais plus au juste lequel.
Au sortir de la ville : des prés, une large allée de platanes où
s’égosillent des cigales, puis le chemin s’en va, poudreux, à travers
une plaine assez maussade, que le cours de la Sorgue raye au loin
d’une mince ligne verte.
Sur la montagne, en face de nous, un pli d’ombre à peine visible ;
c’est là qu’est Vaucluse.
Vers la gauche, à mi-hauteur des contreforts désolés du Ventoux,
le postillon nous montre une masse carrée de mine bourrue : le
château des de Sade, s’il vous plaît, où naquit l’infâme marquis. Et
Laure, j’y réfléchis, s’appelle Laure de Sade ! Non, le sinistre fou
dont le nom seul est une souillure, ne saurait être du même sang
que la divine amante de Pétrarque. Les érudits ont découvert une
autre Laure, Laure de Noves, et désormais, c’est à Laure de Noves
que je crois.
Mais voici que la plaine devient plus étroite. La grand’route et la
sorgue se rapprochent, puis se côtoient et pénètrent ensemble dans
le vallon en passant sous un aqueduc pas très grand et tout neuf,
mais de tournure vraiment romaine, qui fera bien dans quelques
cents ans, entre ces deux rochers, quand les plantes pariétaires le
vêtiront et que le temps l’aura sculpté.
D’un côté, des rochers nus, excavés, surplombants, qui de loin
en loin, par la simple addition d’une façade, se transforment en un
de ces vide-bouteilles si chers aux méridionaux, s’appelant
cabanons à Marseille, mazets à Nîmes, baraquettes à Cette, villas à
Cannes ou à Hyères, et ici tout modestement bastides.
De l’autre, encore le rocher ; et, juste au milieu, entre deux
ourlets de prairie, l’eau de Vaucluse, la même qui nous semblait si
pure déjà dans les rues de l’Isle, mais de combien plus pure ici !
blanche de la blancheur éblouissante du diamant, ou verte comme
l’émeraude, mais toujours merveilleusement claire, et laissant voir
partout le fond tapissé de longues mousses, d’herbes à ce point
savoureuses et tendres que les bœufs, pour les brouter, n’hésitent
pas, au dire de Pline, à plonger la tête dans le courant.
Des gamins, jambes nues, pêchent à la main des écrevisses ; un
homme pique une truite de son trident. Un minuscule canot amarré à
un saule semble mis là exprès pour faire plaisir aux géographes qui
enseignent que, dès sa naissance, la Sorgue porte bateau.
Une montée, une descente, puis le village : c’est-à-dire une
poignée de maisons grises et de toits bruns, une église, un pont, un
hôtel, un café, une colonne. Le tout forme une petite place ouverte
de trois côtés sur un paysage de rochers roux.
La colonne attend un buste de Pétrarque. Sur le mur du café,
une inscription nous apprend qu’à ce même endroit Pétrarque
composa son sonnet quatre-vingt-onzième. Le sonnet y est, en
belles lettres bleues ; ceux qui savent l’italien peuvent le lire.
A part le bruit que font, derrière les maisons, d’invisibles
papeteries, tel ou peu s’en faut devait être le village quand le poète y
venait, rêvant de sa dame et las de l’Avignon pontifical, chercher la
paix de quelques jours dans le château, alors debout, dont les vieux
murs achèvent là-haut de crouler. Le peuple a baptisé ces ruines :
Château de Pétrarque. Le château de Pétrarque, hélas ! appartenait
à Philippe de Cabassole, son ami, et cardinal, autant qu’il m’en
souvienne ; les poètes n’ont pas de château !
Ce serait charmant de borner ici le voyage. Mais mon
compagnon n’est jamais venu à Vaucluse ; il veut suivre le
programme, voir la fontaine. Tout ce que ma paresse peut obtenir
c’est de laisser le chemin pierreux, battu des touristes, qui suit au
grand soleil la droite de la vallée, pour un plus intime et plus frais
que je connais sur l’autre rive, sentier d’amoureux ou de chèvres, au
pied même du roc qui porte le château.
Nous traversons le pont, puis, taillé à vif dans le calcaire et
luisant comme un couloir de marbre noir, le tunnel qui jadis, du
temps des empereurs romains, emmenait l’eau de Vaucluse en
Arles. Il y a là une usine, quelques maisons de paysans avec leur
terrasse et leur treille. Une femme nous salue d’un « bien le
bonjour ! » Nous lui rendons un « Adiousias ! »
— C’est peut-être le jardin que vous cherchez ?
Et elle montre le jardin, celui de Pétrarque ! un petit enclos où
pousse un laurier.
On reprend le sentier, un pied dans l’eau, un pied sur des
racines ; on franchit un déversoir, on suit un barrage ; nous voilà au
milieu du vallon. Plus trace de rivière au-dessus de nous, rien qu’un
amas de rocs où poussent des lavandes. Mais les sources jaillissent
de chaque roc, de chaque brin de lavande, minces comme un doigt
ou grosses comme un bœuf, selon la métaphore provençale, et
toutes chantantes, bouillonnantes, tentatrices et glacées.
Mon compagnon se déclare désappointé :
— Tu m’avais promis une source, et tu me montres un essaim
bourdonnant de sources. Mille sources ne sont pas plus Vaucluse
que mille diamants à un carat ne représenteraient le Régent.
— Regarde là haut l’immense paroi qui, brusquement, barre la
vallée : une grotte s’ouvre à sa base, ou plutôt un cratère oblique au
fond duquel dort un petit lac. C’est l’entrée, l’œil ouvert sur l’azur, de
l’insondable réservoir souterrain dont toutes les sources que voici ne
sont que d’insignifiantes fissures. Mais vienne l’équinoxe de
printemps, quand les neiges fondront sur les Alpes, alors on verra le
niveau du lac monter, la coupe déborder, la fontaine jaillir, et par-
dessus ces rocs qui descendent en cascade jusqu’ici, dans leurs
mousses subitement reverdies, ruisseler la féerie des eaux.
— Montons alors !
— Montons, mais remercie les dieux cléments qui te réservaient
cette joie d’aller surprendre, ingrat ! au cœur même de son rocher, la
nymphe géante endormie.
Quelques instants après nous pénétrions dans la grotte, et nous
descendions jusqu’au lac, par une pente régulière, couverte de tout
petits galets arrondis et roulés, des siècles durant, dans les
profondeurs mystérieuses de la montagne. J’en ramassai une
poignée et je les jetai dans le lac ; ils produisirent, en s’éparpillant
sur cette eau sans fond, des bruits argentins et inquiétants.
A droite, à gauche, des couloirs, de noirs conduits. En haut, dans
l’encadrement de la voûte, un coin de bleu profond apparaît, et, se
découpant sur le ciel, le feuillage du figuier centenaire qui vit ainsi,
accroché au roc, et à qui suffit, pour verdir et vivre, que l’eau,
s’élevant peu à peu, vienne une fois l’an baigner ses racines.
Ce mystérieux trou d’eau a sa légende ; on le croit immense. A
vingt lieues de Vaucluse, sur le versant méridional de Lure, entre
Forcalquier et Sisteron, s’ouvre, à ras du sol, un abîme sans fond,
l’Aven de Cruis, où jadis, selon Nostradamus, les femmes adultères
étaient jetées. Il y a quelques vingt ans, disent les gens de Cruis, un
pâtre s’y précipita, et son bâton, que l’on reconnut aux sculptures,
s’en alla ressortir à Vaucluse où des lavandières le trouvèrent.
Nous redescendons au village par la route ordinaire, à cette
heure abandonnée du soleil. Je remarque quelques petits cafés-
restaurants avec des tables en bois, des bancs, une tonnelle où il
serait agréable de dîner en regardant l’eau. Une vieille femme nous
offre des photographies de la fontaine, des brochures sur Pétrarque,
des bouquets d’herbe à plumes (Stips pennata) que l’endroit produit
en abondance, teinte en rouge, en jaune et en bleu ; et, comme il
faut que les plus chères impressions soient gâtées par la sottise
humaine, nous apercevons aux derniers rayons du couchant, grimpé
sur le roc, à une vertigineuse hauteur, un touriste ami de la gloire
qui, armé d’un pot noir et d’un pinceau, ajoute son nom en lettres
énormes aux innombrables noms d’imbéciles dont tout le vallon est
barbouillé.
En rentrant à l’Isle par les platanes, où les moineaux s’égosillent
maintenant sans réussir encore à faire taire les cigales, nous
remarquons un monument avec inscription constatant que la
promenade fut plantée au XVIIIe siècle par les soins d’un vice-légat.
Ceci nous met en goût. Il nous reste un gros quart d’heure : — si
nous allions visiter l’église ?… Mistral me l’avait recommandée.
Cette église de l’Isle, à part son campanile à la mode du pays, en fer
forgé, où les cloches sont comme des oiseaux en cage, n’a rien de
bien remarquable à l’extérieur. Mais l’intérieur est curieux, peint du
haut en bas dans le plus pur mauvais goût italien. Le mur qui fait
face au chœur est occupé par un firmament extraordinairement bleu,
où des anges en or, de grandeur nature, chevauchent des nuages
d’argent. Et partout des vertus, des prophètes, des sibylles à vous
donner le torticolis.
Entre l’Isle et Avignon, dans la fraîche plaine coupée d’eaux
courantes et quadrillée de haies de roseaux, des villages passent
portant chacun sur son clocher une madone dorée ou blanche. Et
tout près d’arriver, tandis que nos yeux cherchent à l’horizon, dans
les vapeurs du Rhône, les tours d’Avignon et la masse énorme du
palais des papes, nous voyons là, sur notre droite, dans l’éclair du
train, une mignonne église crénelée.
— Montfavet !… Montfavet !…
Nous sommes décidément en terre papale.
II
Le mistral et le Rhône. — Les remparts. — Les nouvelles rues. —
Jaquemard. — Le café Février. — Le vieil Avignon. — Le marché. —
La juiverie. — Le Palais des Papes et le rocher.

O vous ! qui aimez Avignon, bénissez le mistral et le Rhône.


— Quoi ! le Rhône dévastateur ?… le mistral, qui rend fou, qui
arrache les créneaux des tours, décorne les taureaux de Camargue
et arrête les trains de chemin de fer en Crau ?
— Parfaitement, car c’est au Rhône et au mistral qu’Avignon doit
d’avoir gardé sa physionomie.
C’est pour se garder du mistral et lui casser les ailes à tous les
tournants, qu’on a bâti ces milliers de petites rues étroites et courtes
se coupant à angle droit, quand ce n’est pas à angle aigu, dont les
vieux noms pittoresques me ravissent, et où je rencontre à chaque
pas quelques débris, quelques souvenirs de l’Avignon républicain ou
pontifical.
Et ces remparts, si finement sarrazins, ouvragés de mâchicoulis,
relevés de tours qui s’espacent comme les chatons à jour d’une
ceinture moyen-âge, ces remparts à ce point dorés par le soleil que
Dickens put comparer Avignon à un pâté qui cuit dans sa croûte, il y
a beau temps que nous les aurions vu tomber sous la pioche s’ils
n’étaient une digue nécessaire contre les colères du fleuve qui coule
majestueusement à leurs pieds. Un savant aimable me fait
remarquer que chaque pierre du rempart porte, gravé en creux, un
symbole, un monogramme. Ce sont les marques des ouvriers qui les
taillèrent. Il y a relevé un grand nombre de signes maçonniques, ce
qui tendrait à prouver, conclut-il, que la franc-maçonnerie… J’ai
d’ailleurs totalement oublié ses conclusions.
Les remparts sont monuments historiques, on n’y touche que
pour les restaurer, et avec quelle érudite discrétion ? M. Viollet-le-
Duc pourrait le dire. Pourtant, M. Viollet-le-Duc dut un jour y faire
brèche, à ces chers remparts ; les portes du XIVe siècle ne suffisaient
plus au XIXe ! Mais pour la garder, cette brèche, sur la place de la
porte démolie, il éleva deux tours d’un si pur gothique, que Jean de
Héredia, l’Architecte d’Urbain V, s’il revenait, les croirait siennes.
Une tour minuscule, un bijou de tour, a fleuri là aux pieds des
deux grandes. Mon ami le savant semble embarrassé pour m’en
expliquer la destination.
— Que voulez-vous ?… l’édilité a exigé ce monument… M.
Viollet-le-Duc l’a fait aussi gothique que possible… Et puis le moyen-
âge avait aussi ses besoins !
C’est sous l’empire que les trois tours, grandes et petite, furent
bâties, lorsqu’on perça le Cours ombragé et la large rue qui mènent
de la gare à la place de l’Hôtel-de-Ville.
A part le mistral, qui peut-être s’y joue à certains jours un peu
trop librement, ce cours et cette rue sont pour plaire. Les maisons
neuves, avec leurs hauts balcons fastueusement sculptés, leurs
terrasses et leurs colonnades, ont fort grand air et vraiment tournure
de palais. Les maçons avignonnais gardent dans le sang quelque
chose de la magnificence italienne.
La place est belle aussi, dans l’ombre que jette sur elle le Palais
des Papes. C’est là que s’abattit la mule de Grégoire XI — que ce
présage ne troubla pas — lorsqu’il partait pour transférer le Saint-
Siège à Rome.
Comme toute place qui se respecte, elle a sa statue : un Crillon
engoncé dans une armure de bronze ; et de plus un théâtre petit,
mais fort élégant, ce qui est rare en province, avec son portique
surélevé. Le Corneille et le Molière assis devant sont l’œuvre de
deux Avignonnais, des deux frères Brian. L’un d’eux était ce
sculpteur mort en plein triomphe, dont le Mercure inachevé, pur
comme un antique, portait sur son socle, il y quelques années, au
Salon, la grande médaille d’honneur à côté d’une couronne
d’immortelles.
L’Hôtel-de-ville est grec, grec moderne bien entendu ! Mais par-
dessus ses corniches et ses colonnes, se dresse la vieille tour
communale, la tour gothique de Jaquemard. Comme autrefois, à
toutes les heures, Jaquemard frappe sur la cloche, tandis que
Jaquemarde lui présente un bouquet fané. A la hauteur où ils sont, il
faut de bons yeux pour percevoir les mouvements des personnages.
Pourtant ce spectacle enfantin me ravit. Mais je regrette une chose :
Jaquemarde et Jaquemard ont un costume moderne, et je me
rappelle avoir vu, dans un coin du musée, le Jaquemard et la
Jaquemarde authentiques, l’un en pourpoint à crevés, l’autre en robe
rouge à taille aiguë, deux caricatures renaissance d’un bien autre
caractère ! Ne pourrait-on pas les replacer ?
Jaquemard sonne : cinq heures ! Tout Avignon est sur la place à
se promener de long en large, achetant des brins de lavande, des
bouquets de thym à de vieilles femmes, ou bien assis devant les
cafés. Cafés superbes, hauts de plafond, peints, sculptés et dorés,
avec de larges terrasses et des caisses de lauriers-roses. Dans tout
le Midi, le café tient grande place, et l’on a peu le goût du confort, ni
de l’intérieur.
— Venez voir ma maison, me disait l’autre jour un brave homme,
Avignonnais pur sang, enrichi par les chardons après s’être laissé
ruiner par la garance, je l’ai fait arranger à la moderne ; vous verrez
mon salon surtout, c’est grandiose, dans le genre du café Février !
Ce café Février est un singulier café pour un café de province. Si
on tourne le dos à la place et à Jaquemard, on se croirait dans un de
ces établissements du boulevard Montmartre, où se réunissent à
l’époque des vacances théâtrales les comédiens et les comédiennes
sans engagement. Mêmes châles dramatiquement drapés, mêmes
bonnes figures tragiquement ou comiquement bleuies par le rasoir,
mêmes conversations émaillées de « vois-tu ? », de « non, tu sais ! »
de « camarades », de « vieilles branches ! » ; seulement un peu
d’accent provençal sous ces façons de parler parisiennes. Ce sont
des chanteurs de café-concert. Depuis que la Provence et le Comtat
ont pris la fièvre du café-concert, depuis qu’on ne peut plus sans
café-concert donner de fête à Barbentane ou à Gadagne, Avignon,
grâce à son conservatoire, et, dans Avignon, le café Février, sont
devenus centre artistique. Saluons le roi du lieu, ce gros homme
vêtu de velours et cousu de chaînes d’or. Il a dans la plus étroite rue
de la ville un bureau avec cette enseigne au cinquième : —
Monsieur Z…, agent lyrique. — Il fait les engagements, sert
d’intermédiaire et fournit le pays à vingt lieues à la ronde de Bordas
et de Thérésa.
Nous rencontrâmes là, gaiement attablé, un garçon que j’avais
connu à Paris, un peu poète, un peu acteur, et qui s’est trouvé un
métier étrange. Il fait le quatrième couplet. Ceci demande
explication : la mode s’est mise, dans les cafés-concerts, de chanter
les chansons des opérettes en vogue. Mais ces chansons n’ont
jamais guère que trois couplets, morceau insuffisant pour l’appétit
d’un public de province. Chaque artiste fait donc ajouter un
quatrième couplet, un cinquième couplet, aux chansons de son
répertoire, et quelquefois un compliment au public, en cas de rappel.
— Je suis heureux, dit le faiseur de quatrièmes couplets. Le pays
me plaît, le soleil y est bon, et je vis de ma lyre. C’est égal, jamais
Halévy, jamais Meilhac ne soupçonneront combien j’ai collaboré
avec eux !
Mais tout cela, c’est l’Avignon nouveau.

Quant au vieux, au vrai Avignon, le seul moyen de le voir c’est de


s’y perdre. Rien d’ailleurs de plus aisé dans cet écheveau embrouillé
des rues : rue Étroite, rue de l’Ombre, du Migrénier, de l’Olivier, du
Diable, du Chat, de la Monnaie, de l’Anguille, des Amoureux, des
Anes, des Clefs, des Ciseaux d’or, rue Philonarde, rue du Vieux
Sentier, rue de la Pignote, rue de la Fonderie, rue de la Fusterie, rue
de la Banasterie, du Grand Paradis, du Petit Muguet, de l’Oriflan !
La rue Saint-Étienne où sont les restes d’un cirque romain que le
moyen-âge appelait, Dieu sait pourquoi ! le Cirque des Chèvres.
La rue où saint Agricol, pour l’étonnement des Avignonnais,
faisait venir à son plaisir puis congédiait les cigognes.
La rue Rouge où le sang des Sarrasins ruissela.
La rue des Fourbisseurs, où le Duc de Guise se fournissait
d’armures, montrant encore sa miraculeuse Vierge peinte qui saigna
sous le soufflet d’un joueur.
La rue de la Tarasque et son bas-relief naïf qui représente un
monstre rugueux et cornu en train de dévorer un chevalier dont on
ne voit plus que les jambes.
La rue de la Bonneterie célèbre pour sa légende réaliste de
l’égout de monsieur Cambaud, véritable enfer des cuisinières, où
une servante peu charitable, qui jetait le pain des pauvres aux
chiens, hurle changée en chien pendant les nuits d’orage.
La rue des Teinturiers, un morceau de l’Isle-sur-Sorgues
transporté dans Avignon, avec son canal et sa procession de
grandes roues en marche sous les platanes.
La place Saint-Pierre et son église dont Saboly l’exquis faiseur
de noëls, fut le maître de chapelle.
La place Pie, où des fanatiques démolirent la maison du docteur
Perrinet Parpaille, primicier de l’Université d’Avignon, décapité
comme Huguenot et puis pendu (supplice étrange) et qui dut
embarrasser l’exécuteur ! en 1563.
Et près de la rue, maintenant, hélas ! débaptisée, du Cimetière
du Bourreau, la place Saint-Didier au milieu de laquelle se dressait
une croix surmontée d’un coq en pierre qui devait chanter à la fin du
monde.
Partout des ruines de couvent, partout des chapelles : pénitents
bleus, violets, blancs et rouges ; partout des restes d’hôtels
seigneuriaux, de palais cardinalices. Mais où sont, hélas ! les
hôtelleries de l’Avignon des papes et des vice-légats que chantèrent
la Belaudière et d’Assoucy, le Coq, les Trois Testons, les Quatre
Deniers, le Chapeau d’or, le Sauvage, la Lamproie ; où sont les
mails, les lices, le jeu de paume, et cette rue de la Madeleine
couchée avec ses bains publics et ses lieux de plaisir si célèbres
vers 1500 ?
Le hasard, Providence des voyageurs ! nous conduit au marché,
à l’heure voulue. Une foule : des Avignonnaises, des Contadines en
négligé, fraîches sous les brides flottantes de leur Catalane,
quelques costumes arlésiens, à la fois sévères et somptueux. On
crie et on cause, en provençal toujours ! Qui veut des raisins, des
jujubes, des pastèques à la tranche, des grenades mûres en train de
saigner ? Les tentes rayées de rouge et de bleu, dont la longue rue,
dans toute sa longueur, est plafonnée, laissent passer çà et là un
rayon matinal, comme une barre d’or, et jettent sur ce mouvant
tableau leurs gais reflets multicolores.
Quelques pas sous un arceau, et nous voici en pleine Juiverie :
la rue Abraham, la rue Jacob, deux étroits boyaux où descend
d’entre les toits un peu de lumière, mais où jamais le soleil n’a lui ; la
place Jérusalem entourée de hautes maisons tristes, aux fenêtres
serrées, quelque chose comme un préau de prison, et dans un coin,
la synagogue. Là se trouvent le puits de la communauté, et le four
pour les pains azymes.
Tel est le Ghetto où, du temps des papes et jusqu’à la révolution
française, les juifs d’Avignon étaient renfermés. Dans le mur, à
l’entrée, le guichet grillé du gardien se voit encore.
D’après les statuts d’Avignon de 1580, il est défendu aux juifs de
sortir de la Juiverie à partir du mercredi saint jusqu’au second jour
de Pâques inclusivement.
Ils doivent en tous temps porter un chapeau de couleur jaune qui
permette de les distinguer des chrétiens, et les juives, un signe de
même couleur.
Les juifs ne pouvaient avoir ni acquérir aucun domaine direct
dans la ville et son territoire.
La populace les pillait souvent.
L’inquisiteur général les brûlait quelquefois.
Mais ils se faisaient médecins, ils se faisaient surtout banquiers
et cela sans concurrence, les papes leur permettant l’usure, interdite
aux chrétiens par la loi chrétienne. Ils soumissionnaient les fermes
de la chambre apostolique, devenaient les argentiers du Saint-
Siège.
Aussi ai-je pu entendre un juif de ma connaissance soutenir
gaiement ce paradoxe : qu’à part quelques avanies et grillades sans
importance, ses ancêtres étaient heureux et qu’en somme le départ
des papes, puis des vice-légats, fut une calamité pour l’Israël
Avignonnais.
— A propos, me dit mon ami qui est un touriste consciencieux,
quitterons-nous donc Avignon sans avoir vu le château des Papes ?
Mais nous ne faisons que cela depuis trois jours ! A cinq lieues à
la ronde et quelque part qu’on aille dans la ville, il est impossible au
regard de fuir cette masse énorme, ces terrasses, ces six tours
groupées, dont l’une porte là-haut, poussé dans une fente de mur,
ce gros arbre comme un panache.
— L’intérieur pourtant !…
Nous visiterons donc l’intérieur. On passe sous le grand portail
armorié d’un blason papal, que cachait, sous l’Empire, un aigle en
plâtre ; on s’extasie sur les gigantesques mâchicoulis qui, en cas
d’assaut, pouvaient, laissant passer des poutres entières par leur
travers, balayer d’un coup vingt pieds de murailles, et l’on se trouve
dans une vaste cour fermée, terrible comme une forteresse,
hautaine et froide comme la papauté. C’est sans doute ici que le
mistral loge. Trois fois en dix ans je suis entré dans cette cour, et
trois fois un affreux mistral, beuglant comme un taureau, se brisait
les cornes aux encoignures.
Un gardien nous montre la chapelle, les fresques d’un maître
primitif, Simon Memmi de Sienne. Par malheur des soldats italiens,
casernés là je ne sais quand, ont détaché au couteau, pour les
vendre, la plupart des têtes nimbées d’or. Nous visitons ensuite la
salle de l’estrapade, salle de supplices, disent les uns, salle de
cuisine, disent les autres. C’est en tout cas une cuisine étrange que
cet éteignoir de pierre qui tient toute la hauteur d’une tour. Une fine
galerie ogivale percée dans l’épaisseur d’un mur, jadis peinte et
dorée, maintenant simplement blanche, sous une couche de lait de
chaux, nous ravit encore par son élégance. Nous essayons de
reconstituer, coupée qu’elle est dans sa hauteur par des plafonds,
dans sa largeur par des murs de briques, cette salle de Jules de
Médicis et de Georges d’Armagnac, caserne aujourd’hui et jadis si
belle qu’on l’avait surnommée La Mirande. Notre guide, homme
doux et ennemi des souvenirs sanglants, refuse de nous montrer La
Glacière, mais il nous fait descendre dans le cachot agrémenté
d’oubliettes où les papes enfermèrent le tribun romain Cola Rienzi.
— Dieu ! que c’est laid ! s’écrie en sortant mon ami.
— Quoi ! laid ?
— Là sur la place, en face du palais, cette boîte carrée, trapue,
au toit en terrasse où sont perchés d’horribles monstres, ce mur
sans yeux le long duquel quatre gros anges suspendent deux
lourdes guirlandes…
— C’est de Michel-Ange cependant.
— De Michel-Ange ?
— Oui ! ou du moins fait sur un dessin pris dans ses cartons. Ce
devait être l’hôtel des Monnaies.
Dûment averti, mon ami découvre alors que cette lourdeur
pesante symbolise bien le veau d’or, et m’assure que ces monstres
de pierre, moitié griffons, moitié vautours, se découpant ainsi sur le
ciel, ne manquent pas de grandeur sauvage.
Mon ami devient insatiable : il nous faut encore, en montant au
Rocher, entrer dans l’église de Notre-Dame-des-Doms où est le
tombeau de Jean XXII. Ce tombeau n’est pas le seul que l’église
possède, et c’est même à cause du mot DOM inscrit en maint
endroit sur les dalles sépulcrales qu’elle a reçu du peuple ce nom
bizarre. Notre-Dame-des-Doms est une église romane à coupole
peinte, et qui serait belle sans les tribunes déplorablement
fastueuses dont le XVIIe siècle a obstrué l’entre-deux de ses piliers.
On nous montre le trône en marbre d’un pape, des fresques de
Deveria ; les Deveria sortent d’Avignon comme les Parrocel et les
Vernet. Dans une chapelle, au fond d’une niche, je découvre un saint
Pierre en extase, de Puget. Une chose me manque : je crois me
rappeler qu’enfant j’avais vu ici des chapeaux de cardinaux
suspendus à la voûte. Ces chapeaux rouges m’avaient frappé. Mais
je les cherche en vain, et peut-être avais-je rêvé.
Nous voici sur le Rocher, autrefois aride et nu, livré aux ébats du
mistral et des sorcières : on y montre encore lou trau di Masco. C’est
maintenant un agréable jardin public, avec une grotte, un café, des
cygnes. Au milieu, la statue de Jean Althen, le mendiant arménien,
qui réapprit aux Avignonnais la culture de la garance. Un carré de
garance, détail touchant, verdoie au pied. Mais, hélas ! la garance a
cessé d’enrichir Avignon et le Comtat, et la plante de Jean Althen
s’en va, depuis que les chimistes ont imaginé d’extraire l’arc-en-ciel
de la houille.
D’ici, le paysage est merveilleux : au pied du palais, Avignon,
groupé là comme au pied d’une montagne, Avignon et ses toits
rouges ou gris, d’où se dressent des murs crénelés, des terrasses à
l’italienne, les mille clochers de l’Isle sonnante, et des tours plus
humbles que nous avions déjà remarquées, debout au milieu des
maisons, avec leur plate-forme et leur escalier à vis extérieur. Ce
sont les tours des bourguets, petits enclos fortifiés, petites villes
dans la ville, où, tant bien que mal, au dur moyen-âge, les bourgeois
se groupaient, se défendaient.
On a beaucoup démoli de ces tours de bourguet, pourtant il en
reste.
— Ils font des embarras à Pise, avec leur tour penchée, disait un
Avignonnais retour d’Italie. Elle est penchée un peu, comme ça, pas
beaucoup… Ça les étonne qu’elle soit penchée. Des tours ? Nous
en avons à Avignon plus de quarante complètement par terre, et
nous n’en sommes pas plus fiers !
Cet Avignonnais, je l’appris plus tard, était d’origine marseillaise.

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