In: Finance
Steinberg Corporation and Dietrich Corporation are identical
firms except that Dietrich is more levered. Both companies will
remain in business for one more year. The companies' economists
agree that the probability of the continuation of the current
expansion is 70 percent for the next year, and the probability of a
recession is 30 percent. If the expansion continues, each firm will
generate earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of $3.2 million.
If a recession occurs, each firm will generate earnings before
interest and taxes (EBIT) of $1.6 million. Steinberg's debt
obligation requires the firm to pay $950,000 at the end of the
year. Dietrich's debt obligation requires the firm to pay $1.7
million at the end of the year. Neither firm pays taxes. Assume a
discount rate of 12 percent.
a-1. What are the current market values of
Steinberg's equity and debt? (Enter your answers in
dollars, not millions of dollars. Do not round intermediate
calculations and round your answers to the nearest whole dollar,
e.g., 1,234,567.)
Steinberg | |
Equity value | $ |
Debt value | $ |
a-2. What are the current market values of
Dietrich's equity and debt? (Enter your answers in dollars,
not millions of dollars. Do not round intermediate calculations and
round your answers to the nearest whole dollar, e.g.,
1,234,567.)
Dietrich | |
Equity value | $ |
Debt value | $ |
b. Steinberg’s CEO recently stated that
Steinberg’s value should be higher than Dietrich’s since the firm
has less debt, and, therefore, less bankruptcy risk. Do you agree
or disagree with this statement?
Agree
Disagree