Question

Turnbull Co. has a target capital structure of 58% debt, 6% preferred stock, and 36% common equity. It has a before-tax cost of debt of 8.2%, and its cost of preferred stock is 9.3%. If Turnbull can raise all of its equity capital from retained earnings, its cost of common equity will be 12.4%. However, if it is necessary to raise new common equity, it will carry a cost of 14.2%. If its current tax rate is 40%, how much higher will Turnbull’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) be if it has to raise additional common equity capital by issuing new common stock instead of raising the funds through retained earnings? (Note: Round your intermediate calculations to two decimal places.)

Answer 1

Answer:

Turnbull's weighted average cost of capital will be higher by 0.65% if it has to raise additional common equity capital.

Explanation:

By combining the WACC formula and retained earnings cost of capital,we will arrive at;

WACC = Debt W × after tax cost of debt + Preferred stock weight × cost of capital + Equity W × Cost of capital

= 58% × 4.92% + 6% × 9.3% + 36% × 12.4%

= 2.85% + 0.56% + 4.46%

= 7.87%

Also, using the same WACC formula and using common equity cost of capital, , we will arrive at the below;

WACC = Debt W × after tax cost of debt + preferred stock weight × cost of capital + Equity W × cost of capital

= 58% × 4.92% + 6% × 9.3% + 36% × 14.2%

= 2.85% + 0.56% + 5.11%

= 8.52%

Therefore, increase cost using common equity over retained earnings is [ 8.52% - 7.87%]

= 0.65%

N.B we arrived at 4.92% for after tax by;

Pre tax 8.2%

Current tax rate 40%

= Pre tax × ( 1 - cost of debt)

= 8.2% × ( 1 - 40%)

= 8.2% × 0.6%

= 4.92%