Nico Trading Company Must Choose Its Optimal Capital Structure

question 198

Multiple Choice

Nico Trading Company must choose its optimal capital structure. Currently, the firm has a 20 percent debt ratio and the firm expects to generate a dividend next year of $5.44 per share. Dividends are expected to remain at this level indefinitely. Stockholders currently require a 12.1 percent return on their investment. Nico is considering changing its capital structure if it would benefit shareholders. The firm estimates that if it increases the debt ratio to 30 percent, it will increase its expected dividend to $5.82 per share. Again, dividends are expected to remain at this new level indefinitely. However, because of the added risk, the required return demanded by stockholders will increase to 12.6 percent. Based on this information, should Nico make the change?

• A) Yes.
• B) No.
• C) It's irrelevant.
• D) Not enough information.

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Definitions:

Times Interest Earned

A financial ratio that measures a company's ability to meet its debt obligations with its operating income.

Debt-To-Equity Ratio

An evaluation measuring how shareholder equity contrasts with debt in the economic arrangement to finance a company's assets.

Equity Multiplier

A ratio of financial leverage which quantifies the fraction of a company's assets funded by the equity of its shareholders.

Net Profit Margin

A financial ratio that shows the percentage of net income to revenue, indicating the efficiency at which a company converts sales into net profit.