Question: UB Inc. is examining its capital structure, with the intent of arriving at an optimal debt ratio. It currently has no debt and has a beta of 1.5. The riskless interest rate is 9%. Your research indicates that the debt rating will be as follows at different debt levels:
The firm currently has 1 million shares outstanding at $ 20 per share (tax rate = 40%).
a. What is the firm's optimal debt ratio?
b. Assuming that the firm restructures by repurchasing stock with debt, what will the value of the stock be after the restructuring?