Sentence Correction

Despite recent increases in sales and cash flow that have propelled automobile companies' common stock to new highs, several industry analysts expect automakers, in order to conserve cash, to set dividends more conservatively than they were.

same
to set dividends more conservatively than they have been
to be more conservative than they have been in setting dividends
that they will be more conservative than they were in setting dividends
that they will be more conservative than they have been to sent dividends

[spoiler]What is wrong with B? OA is C[/spoiler]

The problem to analyse in answer B is ellipsis. The second part of the parallel structure "than they......." must correspond with the first part and the infinitive "to set".
We cannot complete the second part of the parallel structure in answer B with the verb form "set". Take a look:
"to set dividends more conservatively than they have been SET" - incorrect
"They" refers to "automakers." The sentence to be correct would have to be completed with the V-ing form SETTING.
compare:
"to set dividends more conservatively than they have been SETTING"

OA is C

sandeep_thaparianz wrote:OA is C

I know... I stated the OA in my question.