Question

The cost of issuing new common stock is calculated the same way as the cost of raising equity capital from retained earnings. False: Flotation costs need to be taken into account when calculating the cost of issuing new common stock, but they do not need to be taken into account when raising capital from retained earnings. True: The cost of retained earnings and the cost of new common stock are calculated in the same manner, except that the cost of retained earnings is based on the firm’s existing common equity, while the cost of new common stock is based on the value of the firm’s share price net of its flotation cost.

Answer 1

Answer: False: Flotation costs need to be taken into account when calculating the cost of issuing new common stock, but they do not need to be taken into account when raising capital from retained earnings.

Explanation:

When issuing common stock, the firm will need to pay certain floatation costs such as underwriting fees, legal fees, and registration fees. These will reduce the net amount received from the floatation of new securities.

When raising capital from the retained earnings however, the company can avoid flotation costs because they would be acquiring funds internally and so do not have to worry about paying other entities to access it.