LOS i: Calculate and interpret the beta and cost of capital for a project.
Affluence Inc. is considering whether to expand its recreational sports division by embarking on a new project. Affluence’s capital structure consists of 75% debt and 25% equity and its marginal tax rate is 30%. Aspire Brands is a publicly traded firm that specializes in recreational sports products. Aspire has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.7, a beta of 0.8, and a marginal tax rate of 35%. Using the pure-play method with Aspire as the comparable firm, the project beta Affluence should use to calculate the cost of equity capital for this project is closest to:
The unlevered asset beta is:
Affluence’s debt-to-equity ratio = 0.75/0.25 = 3. To calculate the project beta, re-lever the asset beta using Affluence’s debt-to-equity ratio and marginal tax rate:
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