A boutique has been told by its investment bankers that it would have to pay 12% interest to successfully sell new bonds.The company has bonds outstanding, issued 6 years ago, on which the company is paying 16% annual interest. The company's tax rate is 28%. What is its after-tax cost of debt if it decides to borrow new funds
a) 8.64%
b) 7.74%
c) 1.12%
d) 3.36%