Answer:
a. What is the average annual return?
average annual return (mean) = (-4.5% + 28.1% + 12.2% + 3.7%) / 4 = 9.875%
b. What is the variance of the stock's returns?
variance = [(-4.5% - 9.875%)² + (28.1% - 9.875%)² + (12.2% - 9.875%)²) + (3.7% - 9.875%)²] / 4 = (206.64 + 332.15 + 5.41 + 38.13) / 4 = 582.33 / 4 = 145.5825
c. What is the standard deviation of the stock's returns?
standard deviation = √145.5825 = 12.06%