Problem 14-21 Yerba Industries is an all-equity firm whose stock has a beta of 1.2 and an expected return of 12.5%. Suppose it issues new risk-free debt with a 5% yield and repurchases 40% of its stock. Assume perfect capital markets. a. What is the beta of Yerba stock after this transaction? b. What is the expected return of Yerba stock after this transaction? Suppose that prior to this transaction, Yerba expected earnings per share this coming year of $1.50, with a forward P/E ratio (that is, the share price divided by the expected earnings for the coming year) of 14. c. What is Yerbas expected earnings per share after this transaction? Does this change benefit shareholders? Explain. d. What is Yerbas forward P/E ratio after this transaction? Does the P/E ratio go up or down? Unlevered beta 1.20 Expected return 12.50% Risk-free rate 5.00% New debt level 40.00% New Debt/Equity: Market risk premium: a. What is the beta of Yerba stock after this transaction? New beta: b. What is the expected return of Yerba stock after this transaction? New expected return on equity: Suppose that prior to this transaction, Yerba expected earnings per share this coming year of $1.50, with a forward P/E ratio (that is, the share price divided by the expected earnings for the coming year) of 14. c. What is Yerbas expected earnings per share after this transaction? Does this change benefit shareholders? Explain. Old EPS $1.50 Forward P/E 14 Assumed shares 100 Price per share: Old equity: New debt: New earnings: New equity: New shares: New EPS: d. What is Yerbas forward P/E ratio after this transaction? Does the P/E ratio go up or down? New P/E: Price/Earnings ratio: