In an efficient market, firms should expect to receive which of the following values for the securities they sell?

• A. the lowest price at which the firm is willing to sell
• B. the market equilibrium price
• C. the highest price any buyer is willing to pay
• D. the average of all buyers' willingness to pay

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of an efficient market: In such a market, prices fully reflect all available information, and securities are sold at prices where supply equals demand.
2. Recall that the market equilibrium price is the price at which the quantity of securities supplied equals the quantity demanded by buyers.
3. Recognize that firms cannot expect to sell securities at the lowest price they are willing to accept because buyers will only pay up to their willingness to pay, and competition among sellers drives the price to equilibrium.
4. Understand that the highest price any buyer is willing to pay is not guaranteed because not all buyers will pay that price, and the market price balances all buyers' and sellers' valuations.
5. Conclude that in an efficient market, firms should expect to receive the market equilibrium price for the securities they sell, as this price clears the market and reflects the collective willingness to pay and willingness to sell.