In: Finance
ZZZ is an unlevered company with a current market capitalization of $4 million. The firm is considering a leveraged recapitalization that would involve taking on long-term debt and using the proceeds to buy back shares . The company's CFO has put together the following table with regards to the use of various debt levels in the firm’s capital structure:
| Amount of Debt | Present value of tax shield | Present value of financial distress costs |
| $1,000,000 | $210,000 | $139,500 |
| $1,500,000 | $315,000 | $175,250 |
| $2,000,000 | $420,000 | $296,750 |
| $2,500,000 | $525,000 | $477,000 |
Based on the tradeoff theory oof capital structure, which of the four debt levels should the CFO choose?
Group of answer choices
$1 million
$1.5 million
$2.0 million
$2.5 million
Correct answer: $1.5 million
Value of Firm = All equity Firm value + PV of tax shield - PV financial distress cost
At optimal level of debt ( optimal capital structure ) the value of firm would be maximum.
Please refer to below spreadsheet for calculation and answer. Cell reference also provided.

Cell reference -

We can see in above table that value of firm is maximum at $1.5 million debt level.
Thus, CFO should choose $1.50 million debt level to obtain optimal capital structure.