Use the Following Information to Answer the Question(s)below

question 21

Multiple Choice

Use the following information to answer the question(s) below.
Assume that it is 2012 and Rearden Metal is considering the purchase of a new blast furnace costing a total of $5 million.This furnace will qualify for accelerated depreciation: 20% can be expensed immediately,followed by 32%,19.2%,11.52%,11.52% and 5.76% over the next five years.However,because of Rearden's substantial tax loss carryforwards,Rearden estimates its marginal tax rate to be only 10% over the next five years.Since Rearden will get very little tax benefit from the depreciation expense,they consider leasing the furnace instead.Suppose that Rearden and the lessor face the same 8% borrowing rate,but the lessor has a 40% marginal tax rate.Assume that the furnace is worthless after five years,the lease term is five years,and a lease would qualify as a true tax lease.
-Assuming that Rearden's annual lease payments are $1.2 million,then the amount of the lease-equivalent loan is closest to:

• A)$3.8 million.
• B)$3.9 million.
• C)$4.0 million.
• D)$4.2 million.

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Definitions:

Beta

A measure of the systematic risk of a security or a portfolio in comparison to the market as a whole.

Adjustment Technique

A method used to modify financial or statistical data for comparisons, analysis, or to meet certain criteria or assumptions.

Regression Equation

A statistical method used to determine the relationship between a dependent variable and one or more independent variables.

Single-Index Model

A pricing model that describes the return of a security as a function of a single market index and unique factors specific to that security.