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Weighted average cost of capital American Exploration, Inc., a natural gas producer, is trying to decide whether to revise its target capital structure. Currently it targets a 5050 mix of debt and equity, but it is considering a target capital structure with 80% debt. American Exploration currently has 5% after-tax cost of debt and a 10% cost of common stock. The company does not have any preferred stock outstanding. a. What is American Exploration's current WACC? b. Assuming that its cost of debt and equity remain unchanged, what will be American Exploration's WACC under the revised target capital structure? c. Do you think shareholders are affected by the increase in debt to 80% ? If so, how are they affected? Are the common stock claims riskier now? d. Suppose that in response to the increase in debt, American Exploration's shareholders increase their required return so that cost of common equity is 14%. What will its new WACC be in this case? e. What does your answer in part d suggest about the tradeoff between financing with debt versus equity? a. American Exploration's current WNACC under the 5050mx of debt and equity is %. (Round to two decimal places.) b. Assuming that its cost of debt and equity remain unchanged, American Exploration's WACC under the revised target capital structure of 80% debt and 20% equity is \%. (Round to two decimal places.) c. Do you think shareholders are affected by the increase in debt to 80% ? If so, how are they affected? (Select the best answer below.) A. No, shareholders have the right to increase their required rate of return, which in turn may lower the firm's risk of bankruptcy. B. Yes, their common stock claims are riskier now because larger interest expenses must be paid prior to any dividend payment. C. No, only bondholders are affected because there is a greater chance that the firm may not be able to make the interest payments. D. Yes, shareholders benefit from the increase of debt financing because the interest expenses paid to bondholders are tax exempt. d. If, in response to the increase in debt, American Exploration's shareholders increase their required return so that cost of common equity is 14%, the new WACC in this case is %. (Round to two decimal places.) e. What does your answer in part d suggest about the tradeoff between financing with debt versus equity? (Select from the drop-down menus.) Increasing the percentage of debt financing the risk of the company not being able to make its interest payments and can lead to shareholders increasing their required return which raises the cost of equity capital. ave the right to increase their required rate of return, which in turn stock claims are r erest expenses mus are affected b ce that the firm may benefit from the in increases ause the interest exp icrease in debt, Ani does not change Ilders increase their r imal places.) in part d suggest decreases inancing with debt ver e of debt financing we risk of the company not beir ses the cost of equity capital
