In: Finance
Pearson Motors has a target capital structure of 30% debt and 70% common equity, with no preferred stock. The yield to maturity on the company's outstanding bonds is 11%, and its tax rate is 40%. Pearson's CFO estimates that the company's WACC is 14.00%. What is Pearson's cost of common equity? Do not round intermediate calculations. Round your answer to two decimal places.
WACC is calculated by using the formula below:
WACC= wd*kd(1-t)+we*ke
Where:
Wd=percentage of debt in the capital structure
We=percentage of equity in the capital structure
Kd=cost of debt
Ke=cost of equity
t= tax rate
14%= 0.30*11%*(1-0.40) + 0.60*cost of equity
14%= 1.98% + 0.60*cost of equity
Cost of equity= 14 – 1.98/ 0.60
Cost of equity= 12.02/ 0.60
= 20.03%.