Question

Two companies, A and B, both have $1 million in assets, earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of $160,000, and the same tax rate. Company A is all equity financed, and Company B is 50% debt financed and 50% equity financed. If Company B's pretax cost of debt is 8%, then Company A will have a ROA that is _____ and a ROE that is _____ than Company B's. a. Option D b. Option C c. Option B d. Option A

Answer 1

Answer: higher; lower

Explanation:

EBIT for A = 160,000

Equity of A = 1,000,000

ROA of A = 160,000/1,000,000 = 0.16 = 16%

ROE of A = 160,000/1,000,000 = 0.16 = 16%

EBIT for B = 160000 - (1000000 × 50% × 8%) = 120000

Equity of B = 1000000 × 50% = 500,000

ROA of B = 120000/1000000 = 0.12 = 12%

ROE of B = 120000/500000 = 0.24 = 24%

From the above, we can see that Company A has a higher ROA but had a lesser ROE THAN B