Fowler, Inc., has no debt outstanding and a total market value of $325,000. Earnings before interest and taxes, EBIT, are projected to be $31,000 if economic conditions are normal. If there is strong expansion in the economy, then EBIT will be 25 percent higher. If there is a recession, then EBIT will be 30 percent lower. The firm is considering a debt issue of $105,000 with an interest rate of 6 percent. The proceeds will be used to repurchase shares of stock. There are currently 5,000 shares outstanding. Ignore taxes for this problem. Assume the stock price is constant under all scenarios.

a. Calculate earnings per share, EPS, under each of the three economic scenarios before any debt is issued. Also, calculate the percentage changes in EPS when the economy expands or enters a recession.

b. Repeat part (a) assuming that the firm goes through with recapitalization. What do you observe?