If Investors' Aversion to Risk Rose, Causing the Slope of the SML

question 85

True/False

If investors' aversion to risk rose, causing the slope of the SML to increase, this would have a greater impact on the required rate of return on equity, rs, than on the interest rate on long-term debt, rd, for most firms. Other things held constant, this would lead to an increase in the use of debt and a decrease in the use of equity. However, other things would not stay constant if firms used a lot more debt, as that would increase the riskiness of both debt and equity and thus limit the shift toward debt.

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Definitions:

Ethical Relativism

The theory that holds that morality is relative to the norms of one's culture, meaning that what is considered morally right or wrong varies from society to society.

Consequentialism

An ethical theory that judges whether something is right or wrong based on the consequences of the action, rather than the action itself.

Utilitarianism

An ethical theory that suggests the best action is the one that maximizes utility, often defined as maximizing happiness and reducing suffering.

Ethical Relativism

The theory that moral principles are not universal but instead vary depending on culture, individual perspective, or societal norms.