Laramie Trucking's CEO is considering a change to the company's capital structure, which currently consists of 25% debt and 75% equity. The CFO believes the firm should use more debt, but the CEO is reluctant to increase the debt ratio. The risk-free rate, r RF, is 5.0%, the market risk premium, RP M, is 6.0%, and the firm's tax rate is 40%. Currently, the cost of equity, r s, is 11.5% as determined by the CAPM. What would be the estimated cost of equity if the firm used 60% debt

15.29%

Explanation:

Calculation to determine What would be the estimated cost of equity if the firm used 60% debt

First step is to calculate the Original beta using this formula

Original beta = (rs-rRf)/ RPM

Let plug in the formula

Original beta= (11.5%- 5%)/6%

Original beta= 6.5%/ 6%

Original beta= 1.083

Second step is to calculate the Original D/E using this formula

Original D/E = D/A / (1-D/A)

Let plug in the formula

Original D/E= .25/ (1-.25%)

Original D/E= .333

Third step is to calculate the Unlevered Beta using this formula

Unlevered Beta = Bu = Bl / 1+((1- Tax rate) x (D/E)

Let plug in the formula

Unlevered Beta= 1.083/1+((1-.4) x .333

Unlevered Beta=.90

Fourth step is to calculate the Target using this formula

Target =D/e

Let plug in the formula

Target = .6/.4

Target= 1.5

Fifth step is to calculate the New Beta using this formula

New Beta = bu* (1+(D/E)(1- tax rate)

Let plug in the formula

New Beta = .90 *(1+(1.5)*(.6)

New Beta = 1.71

Now let calculate the estimated cost of equity using this formula

rs = rRF + new beta (RPm)

Let plug in the formula

rs= 5% + 1.71*6

rs= 15.29%

Therefore What would be the estimated cost of equity if the firm used 60% debt is 15.29%

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