Question

An investment banker agrees to underwrite an issue of 10 million shares of stock for TWResearch, Inc. on a firm commitment basis. The investment banker pays $10.50 per share to TWResearch, Inc. for the 10 million shares of stock. It then sells those shares to the public for $11.20 per share.
If the investment bank can sell the shares for $9.75 per share, what is the profit (loss) to the investment banker?
a) Profit of $1,000,000.
b) Loss of $7,500,000.
c) Profit of $7,000,000.
d) Loss of $7,000,000.\
e) Loss of $1,000,000.

Answer 1

Answer: b) Loss of $7,500,000.

Explanation:

The total the investment bank paid when underwriting was:

= 10.50 * 10,000,000 shares

= $105,000,000

The total they then sell to the public is:

= 9.75 * 10,000,000

= $97,500,000

The profit is:

= Selling revenue from public - Buying cost from company

= 97,500,000 - 105,000,000

= -$7,500,000