In: Finance
Suppose the risk-free rate is 3.5%; on average, an AAA-rated corporate bond carries a credit spread of 0.3%, an A-rated corporate bond carries a credit spread of 1.1%, and a B-rated corporate bond carries a credit spread of 3.9%. Company XYZ’s outstanding debt is rated BBB by rating agencies. What would be the cost of debt for XYZ based on prevailing market rates?
This has to be a multiple choice question. And the final answer can be arrived by method of elimination.
We are not in a position to directly observe the credit spread for BBB based on the information in the question. However we know that credit spread of BBB should be lower than that of B rated bond and higher than that of A rated bonds.
Aspread < BBBspread < Bspread
Cost of Debt, I = Risk free rate + Credit spread
Hence, IA = Cost of debt of A rated bond < IBBB = Cost of debt of BBB rated bond < IB = Cost of debt for B rated bond
Hence, 3.5% + 1.1% < IBBB < 3.5% + 3.9%
Hence, 4.6% < IBBB < 7.4%
So, please select that multiple choice option, that meets the above crietrion.