Question: Aramis Inc. sold USD 500 million of convertible bonds in March 2000. The bonds had a 20-year maturity, a 5.00% coupon rate, and were sold at their USD 1,000 par value. The conversion price was set at USD 50.00 against a current price of USD 42 per share of common. Assume straight non-convertible debentures of the same quality yielded about 7.50% at the time.
Determine the Aramis Inc.'s net present value of its interest savings [convertible versus a straight debt issue?]