Question

To estimate the company's WACC, Marshall Inc. recently hired you as a consultant. You have obtained the following information. (1) The firm's noncallable bonds mature in 20 years, have an 8.00% annual coupon, a par value of $1,000, and a market price of $1,050.00. (2) The company's tax rate is 40%. (3) The risk-free rate is 4.50%, the market risk premium is 5.50%, and the stock's beta is 1.20. (4) The target capital structure consists of 35% debt and the balance is common equity. The firm uses the CAPM to estimate the cost of common stock, and it does not expect to issue any new shares. What is its WACC?

Answer 1

The correct answer is: 8.72%

Step-by-step explanation:

Cost of debt K d = I (1 – t) + (-pi)/n

(SV + RV)/2

= 80(1 – 0.40) + (-75)/25

(1,000 + 1,075)/2

= 0.043 or 4.3%

Cost of equity K e = R f + b (R m – R f)

R m – R f = 5.5% = market risk premium

R f = risk free rate = 4.5%

B = beta = 1.2

K e = 4.5% + 1.2(5.5%)

= 11.1%

WACC = W d * K d + We * K e

= 35% * 4.3% + 65% * 11.1%

= 1.505 + 7.215

= 8.72%