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Berkshire Instruments

Al Hansen, the newly appointed vice president of finance of Berkshire Instruments, was eager to talk to

his investment banker about future financing for the firm. One of Al's first assignments was to

determine the firm's cost of capital. In assessing the weights to use in computing the cost of capital, he

examined the current balance sheet, presented in Figure 1 below.

In their discussion, Al and his investment banker determined that the current mix in the capital structure

was very close to optimal and that Berkshire Instruments should continue with it in the future. Of some

concern was the appropriate cost to assign to each of the elements in the capital structure. Al Hansen

requested that his administrative assistant provide data on what the cost to issue debt and preferred

stock had been in the past. The information is provided in Figure 2 below.

When Al got the data, he felt he was making real progress toward determining the cost of capital for the

firm. However, his investment banker indicated that he was going about the process in an incorrect

manner. The important issue is the current cost of funds, not the historical cost. The banker suggested

that a comparable firm in the industry, in terms of size and bond rating (Baa), Rollins Instruments, had

issued bonds a year and a half ago for 9.3 percent interest at a $1,000 par value, and the bonds were

currently selling for $890. The bonds had 20 years remaining to maturity. The banker also observed that

Rollings Instruments had just issued preferred stock at $60 per share, and the preferred stock paid an

annual dividend of $4.80.

In terms of cost of common equity, the banker suggested that Al Hansen use the dividend valuation

model as a first approach to determining cost of equity. Based on that approach, Al observed that

earnings were $3 a share and that 40 percent would be paid out in dividends (D1). The current stock

price was $25. Dividends in the last four years had grown from 82 cents to the current value.

The banker indicated that the under-writing cost (flotation cost) on a preferred stock issue would be

$2.60 per share and $2.00 per share on common stock. Al Hansen further observed that his firm was in a

35 percent marginal tax bracket.

With all this information in hand, Al Hansen sat down to determine his firm's cost of capital. He was a

little confused about computing the firm's cost of common equity. He knew there were two different

formulas: One: One for the cost of retained earnings and one for the cost of new common stock. His

investment banker suggested that he follow the normally accepted approach used in determining the

marginal cost of capital. First, determine the cost of capital for as large a capital structure as current

retained earnings will support; then, determine the cost of capital based on exclusively using new

common stock.

Figure 1 BERKSHIRE INSTRUMENTS

Statement of Financial Position

December 31, 2015

Assets

Current assets:

Cash ..................................................................................... $ 400,000

Marketable securities ........................................................... 200,000

Accounts receivable ............................................................. $ 2,600,000

Less: Allowance for bad debts 300,000 2,300,000

Inventory .............................................................................. 5,500,000

Total current assets .......................................................... $ 8,400,000

Fixed Assets:

Plant and equipment, original cost ....................................... 30,700,000

Less: Accumulated depreciation ...................................... 13,200,000

Net plant and equipment ...................................................... 17,500,000

Total assets .............................................................................. $25,900,000

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

Current liabilities: ....................................................................

Accounts payable ................................................................. $ 6,200,000

Accrued expenses ................................................................ 1,700,000

Total current liabilities ..................................................... 7,900,000

Long-term financing:

Bonds payable ...................................................................... $ 6,120,000

Preferred stock ..................................................................... 1,080,000

Common stock 6,300,000

Retained earnings 4,500,000

Total common equity ....................................................... 10,800,000

Total long-term financing ............................................ 18,000,000

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ................................. $25,900,000

Figure 2

Cost of prior issues

of debt and

Security Year of Issue Amount

Coupon

Rate

preferred stock Bond ............................................. 2003 $1,120,000 6.1%

Bond ............................................. 2007 3,000,000 13.8

Bond ............................................. 2013 2,000,000 8.3

Preferred stock .............................. 2008 600,000 12.0

Preferred stock .............................. 2011 480,000 7.9

Required Activities:

1. Determine the weighted average cost of capital based on using retained earnings in the capital

structure. Note: The percentage composition in the capital structure for bonds, preferred stock,

and common equity should be based on the current capital structure of long-term financing as

shown in Figure 1 above (it adds up to $18 million). Common equity will represent 60 percent of

financing throughout this case. Use Rollins Instruments data to calculate the cost of preferred stock

and debt. Show your work on your assignment document.

2. Recompute the weighted average cost of capital based on using new common stock in the capital

structure. Note: The weights remain the same, only common equity is now supplied by new

common stock, rather than by retained earnings. After how much new financing will this increase

in the cost of capital take place? Determine this by dividing retained earnings by the percent of

common equity in the capital structure. Show your work on your assignment document.

3. Write a 1 page summary that provides the following :

A. Differentiate between the methods used in question 1 above and those used in question 2

above as it relates to the results.

B. Provide your opinion on which method you would suggest and why, based on your findings.

C. Add this summary below your answers to 1 and 2 above on your assignment file.