In which cases use different WACCs

Question

Is this possible to use different WACCs within order to discount each year’s flows? In which cases?

Answer 1

Yes, this is possible. The WACC can only be constant while a constant debt is expected. When debt changes from one year to the next, therefore the WACC also changes from one year to the next, as per to the formula:

WACCt = [Et-1 Ket + Dt-1 Kdt (1–T)] / [Et-1 + Dt-1]

Ke is the required return to equity, Kd is the cost of debt and T is the effective rate of income tax. Et-1 and Dt-1 are the values of the shares and the debt that are acquired in the valuation. Such formula for WACC means that the value of the debt coincides along with its book value.