Frank Underwood, the treasurer of a manufacturing company, thinks that debt (YTM = 11%, tax rate = 40%) will be a cheaper option for acquiring funds compared to issuing new preferred stock. The company can sell preferred stock at $61 per share and pay a yearly preferred dividend of $8 per share. The cost of issuing preferred stock is $1 per share. Is Frank correct?
Is Frank correct in his cost analysis? What variable (s) would need to increase/decrease (and by how much) in order for the Cost of Preferred Stock to be equal to the Cost of Debt?