Question

Last year Ann Arbor Corp had $250,000 of assets (which equals total invested capital), $305,000 of sales, $20,000 of net income, and a debt-to-total-capital ratio of 37.5%. The new CFO believes that a new computer program will enable the company to reduce costs and thus raise net income to $33,000. The firm finances using only debt and common equity. Assets, total invested capital, sales, and the debt to capital ratio would not be affected. By how much would the cost reduction improve the ROE

Answer 1

8.32%

Step-by-step explanation:

The computation of cost reduction improve the ROE is shown below:-

For computing the increase in ROE first we need to follow some steps which is here below:-

Debt = capital × Debt

= $250,000 × 37.5%

= $93,750

Equity = Assets - Debt

= $250,000 - $93,750

= $156,250

New ROE = New Net income ÷ Equity

= $33,000 ÷ $156,250

= 21.12%

Old ROE = Old Net income ÷ Equity

= $20,000 ÷ $156,250

= 12.8%

Increase in ROE = New ROE- Old ROE

= 21.12% - 12.8%

= 8.32%