Evaluating Tampa Manufacturing's Capital Structure Tampa Manufacturing, an established producer of printing equipment, expects its sales to remain flat for the next 3 to 5 years because of both a weak economic outlook and an expectation of little new printing technology development over that period. On the basis of this scenario, the firm's board has instructed its management to institute programs that will allow it to operate more efficiently, earn higher profits, and, most important, maximize share value. In this regard, the firm's chief financial officer (CFO), Jon Lawson, has been charged with evaluating the firm's capital structure. Lawson believes that the current capital structure, which contains 10% debt and 90% equity, may lack adequate financial leverage. To evaluate the firm's capital structure, Lawson has gathered the data summarized in the following table on the current capital structure 10% debt ratio and two alternative capital structures A 30% debt ratio and B 50% debt ratio - that he would like to consider. Source of capital Long-term debt Coupon interest rate Current (10% debt) $1,000,000 Capital Structurea (30% debt) 10.0% (50% debt) 12.0% 40,000 shares 100,000 shares 70,000 shares