Cost of Equity

Question

AB Corporation has 16% cost of equity, 35% tax rate, and debt-to-equity ratio of 30%. XY Corporation has 30% tax rate and debt-to-equity ratio of 40%. Both AB and XY are in the same business of selling automotive parts. If the riskless rate is 4% and the expected return on the market is 12%, find the cost of equity for XY.

Answer 1

Emerson’s Cost of equity = 16% = 4% + B_L (12% - 4%)
8% B_L = 12%
B_L = 1.5
B_u = B_L/(1 + (1 – T)(D/E)) = 1.5/(1 + (1 – 0.35)(0.3) = 1.5/1.195 = 1.255

Hence with a D/E ratio of 40%,

B_L = B_U (1 + (1 – T)(D/E)) = 1.255 (1 + (1 – 0.3)(0.4)) = 1.61

Cost of equity = 4% + 1.61*(12% - 4%) = 16.85%