Global Pistons(GP) has common stock with a market value of $410 million and debt with a value of $228 million. Investors expect a 17% return on the stock and a 4% return on the debt. Assume perfect capital markets.

a. Suppose GP issues $228 million of new stock to buy back the debt. What is the expected return of the stock after thistransaction?

b. Suppose instead GP issues $87.29 million of new debt to repurchase stock.

i. If the risk of the debt does notchange, what is the expected return of the stock after thistransaction?

ii. If the risk of the debtincreases, would the expected return of the stock be higher or lower than when debt is issued to repurchase stock in part (i)?