Answer: 8.45%
Step-by-step explanation:
From the question, we are informed that Holmes Company's currently has an outstanding bonds and has a 8% coupon and a 13% yield to maturity.
We are further told that Holmes believes it could issue new bonds at par that would provide a similar yield to maturity and that its marginal tax rate is 35%.
Holmes's after-tax cost of debt will therefore be calculated as:
= Yield to maturity × (1 - Marginal tax rate)
= 13% × (1 - 35%)
= 13% × (65%)
= 0.13 × 0.65
= 0.0845
= 8.45%