Sun Products Company (SPC) uses only debt and equity. It can
issue bonds at an after-flotation interest rate of 12 percent so
long as it finances at its target capital structure, which calls
for 45 percent debt and 55 percent common equity. Its last dividend
was $2.40, its expected constant growth rate is 5 percent, and its
stock sells for $24. A flotation cost of 7% would be required to
issue new common stock. SPC’s tax rate is 40 percent. The company
expects to earn $200 million in after-tax income during the coming
year and will retain 70% of those earnings.
Four projects are available: Project A has a cost of $140
million and an IRR of 13 percent, Project B has a cost of $125
million and an IRR of 12 percent, Project C has a cost of $20
million and an IRR of 11 percent, and Project D has a cost of $50
million and an IRR of 10 percent. All of the company’s potential
projects are independent and equally risky.
a. Calculate SPC’s cost (interest rate) of common equity if it
finances with retained earnings.
b. Calculate SPC’s cost (interest rate) of common equity if it
finances with a new common stock issue.
c. Calculate the maximum capital budget that SPC can support
with retained earnings
d. Calculate SPC’s weighted average cost of capital for the
scenario where the common equity source is through retained
earnings.
e. Calculate SPC’s weighted average cost of capital for the
scenario where the common equity source is through a new common
stock issue.
f. Determine the optimal capital budget amount for SPC.