Final answer:
The cost of raising capital with debt is typically less costly than raising capital with preferred stock because interest is a tax-deductible cost, whereas preferred dividends are not tax-deductible.
Step-by-step explanation:
The reason that the cost of raising capital with debt is typically less costly for a firm than raising capital with preferred stock is because interest is a tax-deductible cost, whereas preferred dividends are not tax-deductible.
When a firm borrows money through debt, it can deduct the interest payments from its taxable income, resulting in a reduced tax liability. However, preferred stock dividends are not tax-deductible expenses for the firm.
This tax advantage makes debt financing more attractive to firms compared to raising capital through preferred stock.