Question

Firm A and B have identical business except that their financing is different: Firm A: EBIT = X = $10, D = $20 Firm B: EBIT = X = $10, D = $80 Suppose that corporate tax rate TC is 40%, cost of debt is RD is 10% for both. Please answer the following questions: Note: If your choice is A, then type in A. Do not type (A) or anything else. 1. Which firm has a greater FCF (free cash flow)? Your answer: (A) Firm A (B) Firm B (C) Both have the same FCF (D) Hard to say 2. What is firm A’s (annual) tax shield? Your answer: (A) $0 (B) $0.8 (C) $8 (D) $4 (E) Hard to say 3. What is firm B’s (annual) tax shield? Your answer: (A) $0 (B) $0.32 (C) $3.2 (D) $8 (E) Hard to say

Answer 1

Answer:

1. Which firm has a greater FCF (free cash flow)?

• (A) Firm A

2. What is firm A’s (annual) tax shield?

• (B) $0.8

3. What is firm B’s (annual) tax shield?

• (C) $3.2

Explanation:

since firm A's debt is $20, its value is $100, then its equity = $80

since firm B's debt is $80, its value is $100, then its equity = $20

Firm A's cash flow = (EBIT - interest expense) x (1 - tax rate) = [$10 - ($20 x 10%)] x 0.6 = $4.80

Firm B's cash flow = (EBIT - interest expense) x (1 - tax rate) = [$10 - ($80 x 10%)] x 0.6 = $1.20

Firm A's annual tax shield = taxable interest x tax rate = ($20 x 10%) x 40% = $0.80

Firm B's annual tax shield = taxable interest x tax rate = ($80 x 10%) x 40% = $3.20