Luther Industries Needs to Borrow $50 Million in Cash

question 53

Essay

Luther Industries needs to borrow $50 million in cash.Currently long-term AAA rates are 9%.Luther can borrow at 9.75% given its current credit rating.Luther is expecting interest rates to fall over the next few years,so it would prefer to borrow at the short-term rates and refinance after rates have dropped.Luther management is afraid,however,that its credit rating may fall which could greatly increase the spread the firm must pay on new borrowings.How can Luther benefit from the expected decline in future interest rates without exposure to the risk of the potential future changes to its credit rating?

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Definitions:

General Sales Taxes

Taxes imposed on sales of goods and services, generally calculated as a percentage of the sales price.

Elect

To choose or decide upon a particular course of action, often used in the context of making tax-related decisions.

Medical Deductions

Expenses for healthcare that exceed a certain percentage of adjusted gross income and can be itemized for tax deductions, including payments for doctors, prescriptions, and certain medical equipment.

Floor

In finance, the lowest possible value or limit for prices, wages, or other financial variables.