what is the firm’s optimal capital structure, and what would be the weighted average cost of capital at the optimal capital structure?

Intermediate Financial Management (MindTap Course List)
13th Edition
ISBN:9781337395083
Author:Eugene F. Brigham, Phillip R. Daves
Publisher:Eugene F. Brigham, Phillip R. Daves
Chapter16: Capital Structure Decisions
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 11P: WACC and Optimal Capital Structure F. Pierce Products Inc. is considering changing its capital...
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Patented Products is considering changing its capital structure. Patented currently has no debt and no preferred stock, but it would like to add some debt to take advantage of the tax shield. Its investment banker has indicated that the pre-tax cost of debt under various possible capital structures would be as follows:

Debt ratio (wd) Equity ratio (we) Debt/Equity ratio B-T cost of debt
0.0 1.0 0.0 6.0%
0.10 0.90 0.1111 6.4
0.20 0.80 0.2500 7.0
0.30 0.70 0.4286 8.2
0.40 0.60 0.6667 10.0

Patented uses the CAPM to estimate its cost of common equity, rs, and at the time of the analysis the risk-free rate is 5%, the market risk premium is 6%, and the company’s tax rate is 25%. Patented estimates that its beta now (which is unlevered since it has no debt) is 0.8. Based on this information, what is the firm’s optimal capital structure, and what would be the weighted average cost of capital at the optimal capital structure?

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