Question

Serendipity Inc. is re-evaluating its debt level. Its current capital structure consists of 80% debt and 20% common equity, its beta is 1.60, and its tax rate is 25%. However, the CFO thinks the company has too much debt, and he is considering moving to a capital structure with 40% debt and 60% equity. The risk-free rate is 5.0% and the market risk premium is 6.0%. What's the firm's new cost of equity under 40% debt?

Answer 1

8.76%

Step-by-step explanation:

Using the CAPM formula:

Ke = Rf + Beta Factor * Risk premium

Here

Rf is 5%,

Beta Factor is 1.6

And

Risk Premium is 6%

By putting values, we have:

Ke = 5% + 1.6 * 6%

Ke = 14.6%

Now we will find new firm's cost of equity under 40% debt by simply multiplying it with the equity percentage:

Weighted Cost of Equity = 14.6% * 60% = 8.76%