Firms HL and LL are identical except for their leverage ratios and the interest rates they pay on debt. Each has $20 million in assets, has $4 million of EBIT, and is in the 40% federal-plus-state tax bracket. Firm HL, however, has a debt ratio (D/A) of 50% and pays 12% interest on its debt, whereas LL has a 30% debt ratio and pays only 10% interest on its debt.

a. Calculate the rate of return on equity (ROE) for each firm.

b. Observing that HL has a higher ROE, LL’s treasurer is thinking of raising the debt ratio from 30% to 60% even though that would increase LL’s interest rate on all debt to 15%. Calculate the new ROE for LL.