Question Completion with Options:
A) lower, higher
B) higher, higher
C) lower, lower
D) higher, lower
Answer:
Companies A and B
If Company B's pretax cost of debt is 8%, then Company A will have a ROA that is __higher___ and a ROE that is __lower___ than Company B's.
a. Option D
Explanation:
a) Data and Calculations:
Company A Company B
Assets $1,000,000 $1,000,000
EBIT 160,000 160,000
Tax rate = same
Equity 100% 50%
Debts 0% 50%
Equity $1,000,000 $500,000
Debts $0 $500,000
Pretax cost of debt 0% 8%
Interest expense $0 $40,000
Pretax income $160,000 $120,000
ROA (Return on assets) = Pretax income/Assets * 100
= 16% 12%
ROE (Return on equity) = Pretax income/Equity * 100
= 16% 24%
