Market Debt-to- Value Ratio (WD) 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 Market Equity-to- Value Ratio (WE) 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 Market Debt-to- Equity Ratio (D/E) 0.00 0.25 0.67 1.50 4.00 Before-Tax Cost of Debt (ro) 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00% The company uses the CAPM to estimate its cost of common equity. Currently the risk-free rate is 5%, the market risk premium is 6%, and the company's tax rate is 35%. The company estimates that its beta now (which is unlevered because it currently has no debt) is 0.8. Based on this information, what is the firm's weighted average cost of capital at its optimal capital structure?

Essentials Of Investments
11th Edition
ISBN:9781260013924
Author:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Publisher:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Chapter1: Investments: Background And Issues
Section: Chapter Questions
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B.F. Pierce & Company is considering changing its capital structure. The company currently has no
debt and no preferred stock, but it would like to add some debt to take advantage of low interest
rates and the tax shield. Its investment banker has indicated that the pre-tax cost of debt under
various possible capital structures would be as follows:
9.21%
9.07%
8.83%
Market Debt-to-
Value Ratio
8.66%
(WD)
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
Market Equity-to-
Value Ratio
(WE)
1.00
0.80
0.60
0.40
0.20
Market Debt-to-
Equity Ratio
(D/E)
0.00
0.25
0.67
1.50
4.00
The company uses the CAPM to estimate its cost of common equity. Currently the risk-free rate is
5%, the market risk premium is 6%, and the company's tax rate is 35%. The company estimates
that its beta now (which is unlevered because it currently has no debt) is 0.8. Based on this
information, what is the firm's weighted average cost of capital at its optimal capital structure?
Before-Tax Cost of
Debt
(rD)
4.00%
6.00%
8.00%
10.00%
12.00%
Transcribed Image Text:B.F. Pierce & Company is considering changing its capital structure. The company currently has no debt and no preferred stock, but it would like to add some debt to take advantage of low interest rates and the tax shield. Its investment banker has indicated that the pre-tax cost of debt under various possible capital structures would be as follows: 9.21% 9.07% 8.83% Market Debt-to- Value Ratio 8.66% (WD) 0.00 0.20 0.40 0.60 0.80 Market Equity-to- Value Ratio (WE) 1.00 0.80 0.60 0.40 0.20 Market Debt-to- Equity Ratio (D/E) 0.00 0.25 0.67 1.50 4.00 The company uses the CAPM to estimate its cost of common equity. Currently the risk-free rate is 5%, the market risk premium is 6%, and the company's tax rate is 35%. The company estimates that its beta now (which is unlevered because it currently has no debt) is 0.8. Based on this information, what is the firm's weighted average cost of capital at its optimal capital structure? Before-Tax Cost of Debt (rD) 4.00% 6.00% 8.00% 10.00% 12.00%
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