Demolition Construction Services has 12,500 shares of stock outstanding and no debt. The new CFO is considering issuing $75,000 of debt and using the proceeds to retire 2,500 shares of stock. The coupon rate on the debt is 6.8 percent. What is the break-even level of earnings before interest and taxes between these two capital structure options?

Multiple Choice

• $16,860

• $18,520

• $18,240

• $21,000

• $15,300