McKinsee Inc. is developing a plan to finance its asset base. The firm has $5,000,000 in current assets, of which 20% are permanent, and $12,000,000 in capital assets. Long-term rates are currently 9.5%, while short-term rates are at 7%. McKinsee's tax rate is 30%.

Required: A) Construct a conservative financing plan with 80% of assets financed by long-term sources. If McKinsee's earnings before interest and taxes are $6,000,000, what will their net income be? B) An alternative and more aggressive plan would be to finance 60% of total assets with long-term financing. Assuming that EBIT was again $6,000,000, what will net income be under this alternative? C) If interest rates were expected to increase, which plan would you recommend? Why?