Question

Ghost, Inc., has no debt outstanding and a total market value of $185,000. Earnings before interest and taxes, EBIT, are projected to be $29,000 if economic conditions are normal. If there is strong expansion in the economy, then EBIT will be 30 percent higher. If there is a recession, then EBIT will be 40 percent lower. The company is considering a $65,000 debt issue with an interest rate of 7 percent. The proceeds will be used to repurchase shares of stock. There are currently 7,400 shares outstanding. Ignore taxes for questions a and b. Assume the company has a market-to-book ratio of 1.0 and the stock price remains constant. a-1. Calculate return on equity (ROE) under each of the three economic scenarios before any debt is issued. a-2. Calculate the percentage changes in ROE when the economy expands or enters a recession.

Assume the firm goes through with the proposed recapitalization. b-1. Calculate the return on equity (ROE) under each of the three economic scenarios. b-2. Calculate the percentage changes in ROE when the economy expands or enters a recession.

Assume the firm has a tax rate of 21 percent.

c-1. Calculate return on equity (ROE) under each of the three economic scenarios before any debt is issued.

c-2. Calculate the percentage changes in ROE when the economy expands or enters a recession.

c-3. Calculate the return on equity (ROE) under each of the three economic scenarios assuming the firm goes through with the recapitalization.

c-4. Given the recapitalization, calculate the percentage changes in ROE when the economy expands or enters a recession.

Answer 1