Answer:
Their underlying asset beta is closest to is 1.08
Explanation:
According to the given data we have the following:
Debt is given as $78 billion
Equity is given as $142 billion
equity beta given as 1.68
Therefore, in order to calculate the underlying asset beta we would have to use the formula of the the equity beta for a levered firm as follows:
betaE =beta A [1 + (Debt / Equity)]
1.68 = \beta A [1 + ($78 B/ $142 B)]
1.68 = \beta A [1 + 0.5493]
betaA = 1.68 / 1.5493
betaA = 1.08
Their underlying asset beta is closest to is 1.08
