Answer:
-6.00%
Explanation:
The computation of the change in the capital structure is as follows;
Current Capital Structure:
Given that
Weight of Debt = 80%
Weight of Equity = 20%
Levered Beta = 1.60
Now
Debt-Equity Ratio = Weight of Debt ÷ Weight of Equity
= 0.80 ÷ 0.20
= 4.00
Unlevered Beta = Levered Beta ÷ [1 + (1 - Tax Rate) × Debt-Equity Ratio]
= 1.60 ÷ [1 + (1 - 0.25) × 4.00]
= 1.60 ÷ 4.00
= 0.40
Now
Cost of Equity = Risk-free Rate + Levered Beta × Market Risk Premium
= 5.00% + 1.60 × 6.00%
= 14.60%
New Capital Structure:
Weight of Debt = 40%
Weight of Equity = 60%
Now
Debt-Equity Ratio = Weight of Debt ÷ Weight of Equity
= 0.40 ÷ 0.60
= 0.6667
Unlevered Beta = 0.40
Levered Beta = Unlevered Beta × [1 + (1 - Tax Rate) × Debt-Equity Ratio]
= 0.40 × [1 + (1 - 0.25) × 0.6667]
= 0.40 × 1.50
= 0.60
Cost of Equity = Risk-free Rate + Levered Beta × Market Risk Premium
= 5.00% + 0.60 × 6.00%
= 8.60%
Now
Change in Cost of Equity = Cost of Equity under New Capital Structure - Cost of Equity under Current Capital Structure
= 8.60% - 14.60%
= -6.00%
