Fessenden Corporation has accumulated a significant amount of debt as a result of debt-financed acquisitions of other companies. It is currently considering acquiring one of its competitors, Sonar Corporation. Fessenden's existing debt covenants stipulate that it cannot go beyond a debt to equity ratio of 1.25:1 and a net debt as a percentage of capitalization ratio of 0.9:1. The acquisition of Sonar will cost $80 million. Fessenden's current level of equity is $450 million and its current level of interest-bearing debt is $575 million. Fessenden has a cash balance of $75 million. It will finance the acquisition with a 10-year bond of $80 million that carries a 5% interest rate sold at par.

a)Determine Fessenden's debt to equity ratio and net debt as a percentage of capitalization ratio prior to the proposed acquisition.

b)Determine whether Fessenden could acquire Sonar Corporation with the bond issue and still remain in compliance with the existing debt covenants.