Question

Keys Printing plans to issue a $1,000 par value, 20-year noncallable bond with a 7.00% annual coupon, paid semiannually. The company's marginal tax rate is 40.00%, but Congress is considering a change in the corporate tax rate to 45.00%. By how much would the component cost of debt used to calculate the WACC change if the new tax rate was adopted? a. –0.30% b. –0.35% c. –0.36% d. –0.44%

Answer 1

option b) -0.35%

Step-by-step explanation:

For tax rate = 40%

After after-tax cost of debt = cost of debt × ( 1 - Rate )

= 7% × ( 1 - 0.40 )

= 4.20%

For tax rate = 45%

After after-tax cost of debt = cost of debt × ( 1 - Rate )

= 7% × ( 1 - 0.45 )

= 3.85%

Therefore, the change in cost of debt = 3.85% - 4.20% = -0.35%

Hence,

Correct answer is option b) -0.35%