Question

uppose your firm has decided to use a divisional WACC approach to analyze projects. The firm currently has four divisions, A through D, with average betas for each division of 0.9, 1.0, 1.6, and 1.7, respectively. Assume all current and future projects will be financed with 50 debt and 50 equity, the current cost of equity (based on an average firm beta of 1.0 and a current risk-free rate of 4 percent) is 13 percent and the after-tax yield on the company’s bonds is 6 percent. What will the WACCs be for each division?

Answer 1

Answer:

WACC for A: 9.05%

WACC for B: 9.50%

WACC for C: 12.20%

WACC for D: 12.65%

Explanation:

WACC for a division will be equal: Percentage of Debt in capital employed by the Division x Cost of Debt + Percentage of Equity in capital employed by the Division x Cost of equity = 50% x 6% + 50% x ( Risk free rate + Beta of each Division x Risk premium) = 3% + 50% x ( 4% + beta of each Division x Risk premium)

Risk premium for the 4 Divisions is equal to (Cost of equity for the whole firm - Risk free rate) / beta = 9%

Thus WACC for a division will be equal:  3% + 50% x ( 4% + beta of each Division x 9%).

Substitute beta of each Division from A to D provided in the question, we have: WACC for A: 9.05%; WACC for B: 9.5%; WACC for C: 12.2%; WACC for D: 12.65%.