In: Finance
BREAKEVEN AND LEVERAGE
Wingler Communications Corporation (WCC) produces premium stereo headphones that sell for $28.60 per set, and this year's sales are expected to be 450,000 units. Variable production costs for the expected sales under present production methods are estimated at $10,500,000, and fixed production (operating) costs at present are $1,560,000. WCC has $4,800,000 of debt outstanding at an interest rate of 8%. There are 240,000 shares of common stock outstanding, and there is no preferred stock. The dividend payout ratio is 70%, and WCC is in the 40% federal-plus-state tax bracket.
The company is considering investing $7,200,000 in new equipment. Sales would not increase, but variable costs per unit would decline by 20%. Also, fixed operating costs would increase from $1,560,000 to $1,800,000. WCC could raise the required capital by borrowing $7,200,000 at 10% or by selling 240,000 additional shares of common stock at $30 per share.
Answer:
a. WCC's EPS :
Particulars | Existing scheme | With new Debt | With new Stock |
Sales in units | 450000 | 450000 | 450000 |
Sale value per unit | $ 28.60 | $ 28.60 | $ 28.60 |
Sales Total = Sales in units x Sale value per unit =450000 x $ 28.60 |
$ 12870000 | $ 12870000 | $ 12870000 |
Less: Variable cost | $10,500,000 |
=$10,500,000 x (1-20%) = $8400000 |
$8400000 |
Less : fixed production (operating) costs | $1,560,000 | $1,800,000 | $1,800,000 |
Less: Interest on Debt |
= $4,800,000 x 8% =$ 384000 |
=($4,800,000 x 8% )+ ($7,200,000 x 10% ) = $1104000 |
=$4,800,000 x 8% = $ 384000 |
Profit Before tax | $ 426000 | $ 1566000 | $ 2286000 |
Less : Tax @ 40% | $ 170400 | $ 626400 | $ 914400 |
Profit after tax | $ 255600 | $ 939600 | $ 1371600 |
Less : Dividend Pay @ 70% | $178920 | $ 657720 | $ 960120 |
Profit After Dividend | $ 76680 | $ 281880 | $ 411480 |
No. of shares outstanding | 240000 | 240000 |
=240000+240000 =480000 |
EPS $ | $ 0.32 | $ 1.18 | $ 0.86 |
b.
c. At what unit sales level would WCC have the same EPS assuming it undertakes the investment and finances it with debt or with stock:
For that we need to form an equation :
Let Sales in units be 'Q'
EPS with new Debt = EPS with new stock
( 28.60Q - ( 8400000 / 450000 ) X Q - $1,800,000 - $1104000 ) x ( 1-40% ) / 240000 = ( 28.60Q - ( 8400000 / 450000 ) X Q - $1,800,000 - $ 384000) x ( 1-40% ) / 480000
( 28.60 Q - 18.67 Q - 2904000) X 60% / 240000 = ( 28.60Q - 18.67 Q - 2184000 ) X 60% / 480000
( 5.96 Q - 1742400 ) /240000 = ( 5.96 Q - 1310400 ) / 480000
1430400 Q = 521856000000
Q = 364833
d.
e. At what unit sales level would EPS = 0
Let unit sales level be Q
1. Under Existing :
(28.60 Q - $ 10500000 / 450000 X Q - $1,560,000 - $ 384000 ) X 60% / 240000 = 0
3.16 Q = 1166400
Q = 369114
2. UNDER DEBT OPTION :
( 28.60Q - ( 8400000 / 450000 ) X Q - $1,800,000 - $1104000 ) x ( 1-40% ) / 240000 = 0
5.96 Q = 1742400
Q = 292349
3. UNDER STOCK OPTION :
( 28.60Q - ( 8400000 / 450000 ) X Q - $1,800,000 - $ 384000) x ( 1-40% ) / 480000 = 0
5.96 Q = 1310400
Q = 219866
f.
g.
On the basis of the analysis in parts a through c, and given that operating leverage is lower under the new setup,
the riskiest plan is existing plan
the highest expected EPS is under debt plan
Stock option is recommended as there is a fairly high probability of sales falling as low as 250,000 units
determine EPSDebt and EPSStock at that sales level to help assess the riskiness of the two financing plans.:
EPS under debt option = ( 250000 x 28.60 - 18.67 x 250000 - $1,800,000 - $1104000 ) x 60% ) / 240000 = - $ 1.06
EPS under Stock option = ( 250000 x 28.60 - 18.67 x 250000 - $1,800,000 - $ 384000) x 60% ) / 480000 = $ 0.72