Cameron Inc. has $10 million of bonds outstanding that are convertible into common shares. The current price per share is $44 and the stated conversion price is $49 per share. Cameron also has exchangeable bonds issued for $20 million that are to be exchanged for shares of Adam Inc. worth $20 million (therefore no gain or loss is realized on the exchange). Based solely on the facts provided above, what effect should the convertible bonds and exchangeable bonds have on an analyst’s assessment of Cameron’s fundamental debt to total capital ratio?
|
Convertible Bonds |
Exchangeable Bonds |
As the conversion price is above the current share price by a reasonable margin (5/44 = 11%), it is unlikely that the bonds will be converted. Thus, there will be no effect on the debt to total capital ratio.
The exchangeable bond transaction has no gain or loss so there is no effect on equity. But the liabilities will be reduced by $20 million and so this will decrease the debt to total capital ratio.
|