Question

Southern Corporation has a capital structure of 40% debt and 60% common equity. This capital structure is expected not to change. The firm's tax rate is 34%. The firm can issue the following securities to finance capital investments: Debt: Capital can be raised through bank loans at a pretax cost of 10.0%. Also, bonds can be issued at a pretax cost of 7.0%. Common Stock: Retained earnings will be available for investment. In addition, new common stock can be issued at the market price of $90. Flotation costs will be $4 per share. The recent common stock dividend was $4.79. Dividends are expected to grow at 8% in the future.

Required:
What is the cost of capital if the firm uses bank loans and retained earnings?

Answer 1

The cost of capital is 10.89%.

Step-by-step explanation:

Cost of retained earnings = ((Dividend * (100% + Dividend growth rate)) / Stock price) + Growth rate = ((4.79 * (100% + 8%)) / 90) + 8% = 13.748%

Cost of common stock = Cost of retained earnings = 13.748%

Cost of capital = (Weight of debt * (Cost of debt * (100% - Tax rate))) + (Weight of common stock * Cost of common stock) = (40% * (10% * (100% - 34%))) + (60% * 13.748%) = 10.89%

Therefore, the cost of capital is 10.89%.