Case 12 Assignment (Heinz)

1. Why is it important to use the market value of equity rather than the book value in calculating the component weights on the sources of capital?

2. Identify which regression beta is more relevant (and why):

a. The popular estimate based on monthly price data over the previous 5 years, described on p. 192, paragraph 2, or

b. Sheppards own calculation of beta, based on daily price data for the last year, described in footnote 5 on p. 192.

3. Justify which Treasury yield is the best estimate of the risk-free rate in a cost of capital calculation.

4. Why is there so much difference of opinion regarding the estimate of the average Market Risk Premium?

5. Determine the most appropriate bond yield to use for the cost of debt and justify your choice.

6. Why do we calculate an after-tax cost of debt for the WACC?