Cartwright Communications Is Considering Making a Change to Its Capital

question 86

Multiple Choice

Cartwright Communications is considering making a change to its capital structure to reduce its cost of capital and increase firm value. Right now, Cartwright has a capital structure that consists of 20% debt and 80% equity, based on market values. (Its D/S ratio is 0.25.) The risk-free rate is 6% and the market risk premium, rM σ rRF, is 5%. Currently the company's cost of equity, which is based on the CAPM, is 12% and its tax rate is 40%. What would be Cartwright's estimated cost of equity if it were to change its capital structure to 50% debt and 50% equity?

• A) 13.00%
• B) 13.64%
• C) 14.35%
• D) 14.72%
• E) 15.60%

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Definitions:

Cognitive Learning

A process involving mental operations that facilitate the acquisition and retention of knowledge, including thinking, understanding, and remembering.

Observational Learning

The process of learning behaviors by watching and imitating others, highlighted in Bandura's social learning theory.

Operant Conditioning

Operant Conditioning is a learning process through which the strength of a behavior is modified by reinforcement or punishment, a concept introduced by B.F. Skinner.

Neutral Stimulus

A stimulus that initially does not elicit any intrinsic response until it is associated with an unconditioned stimulus.