Refi Corporation is planning to repurchase part of its common stock by issuing corporate debt. As a result, the firm's debt-equity is expected to rise from 35 percent to 50 percent. The firm currently has $2.7 million worth of debt outstanding. The pretax cost of debt is 6.4 percent. The firm expects to have an aftertax earnings of $940,000 per year in perpetuity. The corporate tax rate is 21 percent. a. What is the expected return on the equity before the repurchase announcement?