A firm has $4 million in outstanding bonds that mature in four years, with a fixed rate of 7.5% (assume annual payments). The bonds trade at a price of $98 in the open market. The firm’s marginal tax rate is 35%. Using the bond-yield plus method, what is the firm’s cost of equity risk assuming an add-on of 4%?
If the bonds are trading at $98, the required yield is 8.11%, and the market value of the issue is $3.92 million. To calculate this rate using a financial calculator (and figuring the rate assuming a $100 face value for each bond), N = 4; PMT = 7.5 = (0.075 × 100); FV = 100; PV = -98; CPT → I/Y = 8.11. By adding the equity risk factor of 4%, we compute the cost of equity as 12.11%. |