Question

Laramie Trucking's CEO is considering a change to the company's capital structure, which currently consists of 25% debt and 75% equity. The CFO believes the firm should use more debt, but the CEO is reluctant to increase the debt ratio. The risk-free rate, r RF, is 5.0%, the market risk premium, RP M, is 6.0%, and the firm's tax rate is 25%. Currently, the cost of equity, r s, is 11.5% as determined by the CAPM. What would be the estimated cost of equity if the firm used 60% debt? (Hint: You must first find the current beta and then the unlevered beta to solve the problem.)

Answer 1

17.74%

Step-by-step explanation:

Calculation to determine What would be the estimated cost of equity

First step is to calculate the Original beta using this formula

Original beta = (rs-rRf)/ RPM

Let plug in the formula

Original beta = 11.5%- 5%

Original beta = 6.5%/ 6%

Original beta = 1.083

Second step is to calculate original D/E using this formula

original D/E= D/A / (1-D/A)

Let plug in the formula

original D/E = .25/ (1-.25%)

original D/E = .333

Third step is to calculate Unlevered Beta using this formula

Unlevered Beta= Bu = Bl / 1+((1- Tax rate) x (D/E)

Let plug in the formula

Unlevered Beta= 1.083/1+((1-.25) x .333

(D/E) =1.083/1+(0.75*.333)

(D/E) =1.083/1+.24975

(D/E) =1.083/1.24975

(D/E)=0.87

Fourth Step is to calculate the Target D/e

Target D/e = .6/.25

Target D/e = 2.4

Fifth step is to calculate the New Beta using this formula

New Beta = bu* (1+(D/E)(1- tax rate)

Let plug in the formula

New Beta= .87 *(1+(2.4)*(.6)

New Beta= .87 *(1+1.44)

New Beta= .87 *2.44

New Beta=2.1228

Now let calculate the estimated cost of equity using this formula

rs = rRF + new beta (RPm)

Let plug in the formula

rs= 5% + 2.1228*6

rs= 17.74%

Therefore the estimated cost of equity will be 17.74%