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1. Brite Lighting Corporation wants to investigate the effect on its cost of cap

ID: 2699372 • Letter: 1

Question

1.      Brite Lighting Corporation wants to investigate the effect on its cost of capital based on the rate at which the company is taxed. The firm wishes to maintain a capital structure of 30% debt, 10% preferred stock, and 60% common stock. The cost of financing with retained earnings is 14% (i.e., rs = 14%), the cost of preferred stock financing is 9% (rps = 9%), and the before-tax cost of debt is 11% (rd = 11%). Calculate the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) given the tax rate assumptions in parts (a) to (c) below.

(a)   Tax rate = 40%.

(b)   Tax rate = 35%.

(c)    Tax rate = 25%.

Explanation / Answer

Calculate the weighted average cost of capital (WACC) given the tax rate assumptions in parts (a) to (c) below.

(a)   Tax rate = 40%.

WACC = 14*0.60 + 9*0.10 + 11*0.60*0.30 = 11.28%

(b)   Tax rate = 35%.

WACC = 14*0.60 + 9*0.10 + 11*0.65*0.30 = 11.445%

(c)    Tax rate = 25%.

WACC = 14*0.60 + 9*0.10 + 11*0.75*0.30 = 11.775%