Ted and Alice Were in the Process of Negotiating a Divorce

question 43

Essay

Ted and Alice were in the process of negotiating a divorce agreement. They own bonds with a basis of $800,000 and a fair market value of $800,000. They also own common stock with a basis of $600,000 and a fair market value of
$800,000. Alice is trying to decide whether to bargain to receive the bonds or the stock. She has no plans for selling the bonds or stock, whichever she receives.
a. Which would you advise Alice to receive?
b. From Ted's perspective, are the assets of equal value?

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Definitions:

Consumer Good

Goods that are produced for personal consumption by the general public.

Inelastic

Describing demand that is relatively unresponsive to changes in price.

Quantity Demanded

This is the total amount of a good or service that consumers want to buy at a specific price level, within a certain period.

Derived Demand

The demand for a factor of production or intermediate good that occurs as a result of the demand for another good or service.