Suppose That Rearden Metal Currently Has No Debt and Has

question 17

Multiple Choice

Suppose that Rearden Metal currently has no debt and has an equity cost of capital of 12%.Rearden is considering borrowing funds at a cost of 6% and using these funds to repurchase existing shares of stock.Assume perfect capital markets.If Taggart borrows until they achieved a debt -to-equity ratio of 50%,then Rearden's levered cost of equity would be closest to:

• A) 10.0%
• B) 12.0%
• C) 15.0%
• D) 16.0%

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Definitions:

Degree of Operating Leverage

A financial metric that measures the sensitivity of a company's operating income to its sales volume.

Break-even Point

The level of production or sales at which total revenues equal total expenses, resulting in no net loss or gain.

Contribution Margin

The amount by which sales revenue exceeds variable costs. It contributes to covering fixed costs and generates profit.

Fixed Expenses

Costs that do not fluctuate with changes in production level or sales volume.