High Chem Ltd. is a quoted company which is financed by 10,000,000 ordinary shares and Sh.50,000,000 of irredeemable 8% debentures. The market value of the shares is Sh.20 each ex-div and an annual dividend of Sh.4 per share is expected to be paid in perpetuity. The debentures are considered to be risk-free and are valued at par.

Mr. Wafula the managing director of the company is wondering whether to invest in a project which cost Sh.20 million and yield Sh.3.8 million a year before tax in perpetuity. The project has an estimated beta value of 1.25. The return from a well-diversified market portfolio is 16%.

Required:

a) The weighted average cost of capital of the company.

b) The beta of the company.

c) The beta of an equivalent ungeared company ignoring taxes

d) Advise the company whether/or not the project should be accepted. In your explanation, highlight the significance of your calculations in (a), (b) and (c) above