Assume that Modigliani-Miller Propositions 1 and 2 hold. Ex- plain carefully why the conclusion of each of the following argu- ments is incorrect: (i) As a firm borrows more and debt becomes risky, both share- holder and bondholders demand higher rates of return. Thus, reducing its debt ratio, a firm can reduce both the cost of debt and the cost of equity. ii) As leverage increases, the ratio of the market value of a firm's equity to income (after debt interest) increases.

Assume that Modigliani-Miller Propositions 1 and 2 hold. Ex- plain carefully why the conclusion of each of the following argu- ments is incorrect: (i) As a firm borrows more and debt becomes risky, both share- holder and bondholders demand higher rates of return. Thus, reducing its debt ratio, a firm can reduce both the cost of debt and the cost of equity. ii) As leverage increases, the ratio of the market value of a firm's equity to income (after debt interest) increases.

Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation

8th Edition

ISBN:9781285190907

Author:James M. Wahlen, Stephen P. Baginski, Mark Bradshaw

Publisher:James M. Wahlen, Stephen P. Baginski, Mark Bradshaw

Chapter5: Risk Analysis

Section: Chapter Questions

Problem 2QE

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Which of the below statements does the MM Proposition I predict? A. In a perfect market, the value of a firm is independent of its capital structure B.In a perfect market, the discount rate depends on the capital structure C.In a perfect market, the value of a firm decreases in leverage D.In a perfect market, the NPY of investments depends on the existing debt/equity mix
Which of the following statements is FALSE? A. Equity cost of capital is normally higher then cost of debt, thus cost of debt can be examined in isolation. B. No matter if a firm is unlevered or levered, there is no difference in the market value of the firms total securities and market value of the firm’s assets. C. Introducing debt increases the risk even though it may be cheap and consequently increases firms equity cost of capital. D. Cost of Capital of equity and Leverage can be explicitly explained by first proposition that Modigliani and Miller introduced.
Which statement is most correct? * A. Since debt financing raises the firm’s financial risk, increasing debt ratio will increase WACC. B. Since debt financing is cheaper than equity financing, increasing debt ratio will reduce WACC. C. Increasing a firm’s debt ratio will typically reduce the marginal costs of both debt and equity financing; however, it still may raise the firm’s WACC. D. Statements a and c are correct. E. None of the above
Which of the following statements is correct?(a) The quickest way to determine whether the firmhas too much debt is to calculate the Timesinterest-earned ratio.(b) The best rule of thumb for determining the firm’sliquidity is to calculate the current ratio.(c) From an investor’s point of view, the price-toearnings ratio is a good indicator of whether ornot a firm is generating an acceptable return tothe investor.(d) The operating margin is determined by subtracting all operating and non-operating expensesfrom the gross margin.
Which of the following statements are CORRECT? Check all that apply: The aftertax cost of debt decreases when the market price of a bond increases. A decrease in a firm's WACC will increase the attractiveness of the firm's investment options. Cost of capital is also known as the minimum expected or required return an investment must offer to be attractive.
Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false. Support your answers with the relevant explanations. a) Modigliani and Miller’s Proposition II assumes that increased borrowing does not affect the interest rate on the firm’s debt. (Explain your reasoning.) b) Under the conditions of perfect capital markets, the cost of capital of a company financed fully by equity is expected to be equal to that of the same company but financed with 50% equity and 50% debt. (Explain your reasoning.) c) The higher the systematic risk of a company’s stock, the higher the value of its beta. The higher the beta, the higher the return required by the investors. (Explain your reasoning.)
Consider two firms that are alike in every way except that Firm A has fixed rate debt in its capital structure and Firm B has variable rate debt. Which firm has riskier equity? Why?
According to MM propositions, which of the following statements best describes the consequence of increasing debt-to-value ratio for a firm? Group of answer choices The weighted average cost of capital can decrease. The weighted average cost of capital can increase. The cost of equity capital can decrease. The weighted average cost of capital must not stay constant.
Which one of the following statements related to the Security Market Line approach to equity valuation is correct? Assume the firm includes debt in its capital structure. Group of answer choices This model considers a firm's rate of growth. The model will never produce the same cost of equity as the dividend growth model. The model is dependent upon a reliable estimate of the market risk premium. This approach generally produces a cost of equity that equals the firm's overall cost of capital. The model applies only to non-dividend-paying firms.
Indicate whether each of the following statements is true or false. Support your answers with the relevant explanations. Modigliani and Miller’s Proposition II assumes that increased borrowing does not affect the interest rate on the firm’s debt. (Explain your reasoning.) Under the conditions of perfect capital markets, the cost of capital of a company financed fully by equity is expected to be equal to that of the same company but financed with 50% equity and 50% debt. (Explain your reasoning.) 3. The higher the systematic risk of a company’s stock, the higher the value of its beta. The higher the beta, the higher the return required by the investors. (Explain your reasoning.) 4. The higher the proportion of equity in a company’s overall capital structure, the higher return required by its debtholders. (Explain your reasoning – in your explanation, provide a numerical example supporting your answer.) 5.In the presence of corporate taxes, a company would prefer to raise…
According to Modigliani & Miller M Proposition II (MM Il), as a firm's debt-equity ratio decreases, what happens to the required rate of return on equity? Briefly explain including the key aspect of MM II.
For each statement indicate whether it is true or false and briefly explain why. a) In a perfect capital market with no corporate taxes, as a firm takes on more and more debt its weighted average cost of capital remains unchanged while its required return on equity rises. b) If a firm issues riskfree debt the risk of the firm’s equity will not change. So, riskfree debt allows the firm to get the benefit of a low cost of debt without raising its cost of equity. c) In the context of firms’ capital structure decisions, the theory predicts that the value of a firm’s equity will rise in direct proportion to the level of debt in its capital structure.