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Fireworks, Inc. wants to determine the minimum cost of capital point for the fir

ID: 2634519 • Letter: F

Question

Fireworks, Inc. wants to determine the minimum cost of capital point for the firm. Assume it is considering the following financial plans:

Cost      (aftertax)


Weights

Plan A

Debt................................

5.0%

20%

Preferred stock................

10.0

10

Common equity...............

14.0

70

Plan B

Debt................................

5.5%

30%

Preferred stock................

10.5

10

Common equity...............

15.0

60

Plan C

Debt................................

6.0%

40%

Preferred stock................

10.7

10

Common equity...............

15.8

50

Plan D

Debt................................

8.0%

50%

Preferred stock................

11.2

10

Common equity...............

17.5

40

a.      Which of the four plans has the lowest WACC? (Round to two places after decimal.)

b.      Briefly discuss the results from Plan C & Plan D, and why one is better than the other.

Cost      (aftertax)


Weights

Plan A

Debt................................

5.0%

20%

Preferred stock................

10.0

10

Common equity...............

14.0

70

Plan B

Debt................................

5.5%

30%

Preferred stock................

10.5

10

Common equity...............

15.0

60

Plan C

Debt................................

6.0%

40%

Preferred stock................

10.7

10

Common equity...............

15.8

50

Plan D

Debt................................

8.0%

50%

Preferred stock................

11.2

10

Common equity...............

17.5

40

Explanation / Answer

Plan A , WACC =5.5*0.3+10.5*0.1+14*0.7=12.5

Plan B , WACC=5.5*0.3+10.5*0.1+15*0.6=11.7

Plan C , WACC=6*0.4+10.7*0.1+15.8*0.5=11.37

Plan D , WACC=8*0.5+11.2*0.1+17.5*0.4=12.12

Plan D is operating at a higher debt compared to Plan C. So the EPS of the share holders in Plan-D will be higher , if the earning in C & D are same.