Two-State Option Pricing and Corporate Valuation Strudler Real Estate, Inc., a construction fi rm fi nanced by both debt and equity, is undertaking a new project. If the project is successful, the value of the fi rm in one year will be $500 million but if the project is a failure, the fi rm will be worth only $320 million. The current value of Strudler is $400 million, a fi gure that includes the prospects for the new project. Strudler has outstanding zero coupon bonds due in one year with a face value of $380 million. Treasury bills that mature in one year yield 7 percent EAR. Strudler pays no dividends.

a. Use the two-state option pricing model to fi nd the current value of Strudler’s debt and equity.

b. Suppose Strudler has 500,000 shares of common stock outstanding. What is the price per share of the fi rm’s equity?

c. Compare the market value of Strudler’s debt to the present value of an equal amount of debt that is riskless with one year until maturity. Is the fi rm’s debt worth more than, less than, or the same as the riskless debt? Does this make sense? What factors might cause these two values to be different?

d. Suppose that in place of the proceding project, Strudler’s management decides to undertake a project that is even more risky. The value of the fi rm will either increase to $800 million or decrease to $200 million by the end of the year. Surprisingly, management concludes that the value of the fi rm today will remain at exactly $400 million if this risky project is substituted for the less risky one. Use the two-state option pricing model to determine the value of the fi rm’s debt and equity if the fi rm plans on undertaking this new project. Which project do bondholders prefer? LO.1