Hello,

How would you answer this question? Thank you.

Tom would like to value Automaton, Inc. using the discounted cash flow (DCF) method.

He forecasts Free Cash Flows (FCFs) of $135 million, $145 million, $146 million, respectively for years 1, 2, and 3.After year 3, he assumes FCFs will increase by 2 percent to perpetuity.

He gathers the information below (his "input variables") to compute Automaton's cost of equity, debt, and enterprise value.

Cost of Equity

Risk-Free-Rate = 3 percent

Beta = 1.03

Return of Market Portfolio (S&P 500) = 7 percent

Debt Financing

Debt to Equity Ratio = 45 percent

Market Value of Zero-Coupon Bonds = $100 million or 75 percent of par value

Maturity of Zero-Coupon Bonds = 15 years

Tax Rate = 35%

Based on the input variables, what is Automaton's after-tax cost of debt?.