Computech Corporation is expanding rapidly and currently needs to retain all of its earnings; hence, it does not pay dividends. However, investors expect Computech to begin paying dividends, beginning with a dividend of $0.50 coming 3 years from today. The dividend should grow rapidly - at a rate of 49% per year - during Years 4 and 5; but after Year 5, growth should be a constant 9% per year. If the required return on Computech is 16%, what is the value of the stock today? Round your answer to the nearest cent. Do not round your intermediate calculations.

To solve this, add the present values of the dividends from years 3, 4 and 5 and then add the present value of the terminal value of the stock at year 5.

Year 3 dividend = $0.50

Year 4 dividend = 0.50 * (1 + 49%) = $0.745

Year 5 dividend = 0.745 * 1.49 = $1.11005

= Dividend in year 3 / (1 + required rate of return)³ + Dividend in year 4 / (1 + required rate of return)⁴ + Dividend in year 5 / (1 + required rate of return)⁵ + (Dividend in year 5 * (1 + growth rate) / ( required rate of return - growth rate ) ) / (1 + required rate of return)⁵

= 0.5 / 1.16³ + 0.745/1.16⁴ + 1.11005/1.16⁵ + ( 1.11005 / (16% - 9%)) / 1.16⁵

= $8.81