(The Following Information Applies to Problems 91, 92, 93, and 94.)

question 52

Multiple Choice

(The following information applies to Problems 91, 92, 93, and 94.)
Assume that you have been hired as a consultant by CGT, a major producer of chemicals and plastics, including plastic grocery bags, styrofoam cups, and fertilizers, to estimate the firm's weighted average cost of capital. The balance sheet and some other information are provided below.
The stock is currently selling for $15.25 per share, and its noncallable $1,000 par value, 20-year, 7.25% bonds with semiannual payments are selling for $875.00. The beta is 1.25, the yield on a 6-month Treasury bill is 3.50%, and the yield on a 20-year Treasury bond is 5.50%. The required return on the stock market is 11.50%, but the market has had an average annual return of 14.50% during the past 5 years. The firm's tax rate is 40%.
-Based on the CAPM, what is the firm's cost of equity?

• A) 11.15%
• B) 11.73%
• C) 12.35%
• D) 13.00%
• E) 13.65%

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Definitions:

Operating Income

The profit realized from a business's core operations, calculated before interest and taxes.

Average Fixed Assets

The mean value of a company's fixed assets, like plant and equipment, calculated over a specific period of time.

Double-Declining Balance Method

A method of accelerated depreciation calculating an asset's loss of value at double the rate of the straight-line depreciation method.

Depreciation Expense

The allocated amount of an asset's cost that is written off as an expense over its useful life, reflecting the consumption of the asset.