Question

Lancashire Railway Company (LRC) has two divisions, L and H. Division L is the company’s low-risk division and would have a weighted average cost of capital of 8% if it was operated as an independent company. Division H is the company’s high-risk division and would have a weighted average cost of capital of 14% if it was operated as an independent company. Because the two divisions are the same size, the company has a composite weighted average cost of capital of 11%. Division H is considering a project with an expected return of 12%. Should Lancashire Railway Company (LRC) accept or reject the project?

Answer 1

Answer:

Lancashire Railway Company (LRC)

Lancashire Railway Company (LRC) should reject the project.  The basis for rejecting Division H's project is that its return (12%) is less than the risk-based cost of capital for the division (14%).

Explanation:

a) Data:

Division L's weighted-average cost of capital = 8%

Division H's weighted-average cost of capital = 14%

Weight of Division L = 50%

Weight of Division H = 50%

Company composite weighted average cost of capital = 11% (8% * 50%) + (14% * 50%)

Expected return from a proposed project for Division H = 12%