Photon Corporation has a target capital structure of 60 percent equity and 40 percent debt. The firm can raise an unlimited amount of debt at a before-tax cost of 9 percent. The company expects to retain earnings of $300,000 in the coming year and to face a tax rate of 35 percent. The last dividend was $2 per share and the growth rate of the company is constant at 6 percent. If the company needs to issue new equity, then the flotation cost will be $5 per share. The current stock price is $30. Photon has the following investment opportunities:
Project Cost IRR -
1 $100,000 10.5%
2 $200,000 13.0
3 $100,000 12.0
4 $150,000 14.0
5 $75,000 9.0
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A. B. C. D. E.B
Calculate the retained earnings break point (BPRE) as $300,000/0.6 = $500,000. Calculate ks as D1/P0 + g = $2(1.06)/$30 + 6% = 13.07%. Calculate ke as D1/
(P0 - F) + g = $2(1.06)/($30 - $5) + 6% = 14.48%. Find WACC below BPRE as: WACC = 0.6(13.07%)+ 0.4(9%)(1 - 0.35) = 10.18%. Thus, up to $500,000 can be financed at 10.18%. Find WACC above BPRE as: WACC = 0.6(14.48%) + 0.4 (9%) (1 - 0.35) = 11.03%. Thus, financing in excess of $500,000 costs 11.03%.
Projects 2, 3, and 4 all have IRRs exceeding either WACC and should be accepted. These projects require $450,000 in financing. Project 1 is the next most profitable project.
Given its cost of $100,000, half or $50,000 can be financed at 10.18% and the other half must be financed at 11.03%. The relevant cost of capital for Project 1 is then 0.5(10.18%) + 0.5(11.03%) = 10.61%. Since Project 1's IRR is less than the cost of capital, it should not be accepted. The firm's optimal capital budget is
$450,000.