WACC and target weights After careful analysis, Dexter Brothers has determined that its optimal capital structure is composed of the sources and target market value weights shown in the following table: The cost of debt is estimated to be 6.9%; the cost of preferred stock is estimated to be 13.1%; the cost of retained earnings is estimated to be 15.6%; and the cost of new common stock is estimated to be 17.6%. All of these are after-tax rates. The company's debt represents 23%, the preferred stock represents 7%, and the common stock equity represents 70% of total capital on the basis of the market values of the three components. The company expects to have a significant amount of retained earnings available and does not expect to sell any new common stock. a. Calculate the weighted average cost of capital on the basis of historical market value weights. b. Calculate the weighted average cost of capital on the basis of target market value weights. c. Compare the answers obtained in parts a and b. Explain the differences. a. The weighted average cost of capital on the basis of historical market value weights is %. (Round to two decimal places.) b. The weighted average cost of capital on the basis of target market value weights is i %. (Round to two decimal places.) Data Table c. Compare the answers obtained in parts a and b. Explain the differences. (Select the best answer below.) (Click on the icon located on the top-right corner of the data table copy its contents into a spreadsheet.) A. Using historical weights, the firm has a higher cost of capital because historical costs are often higher than future expected costs. B. Using historical weights, the firm has a lower cost of capital due to the weighting of the more expensive common stock component, 70%, versus the target weight of 60% C. Using historical weights, the firm has a lower cost of capital because historical costs are often lower than future expected costs. D. Using historical weights, the firm has a higher cost of capital due to the weighting of the more expensive common stock component, 70%, versus the target weight of 609 Source of capital Long-term debt Preferred stock Common stock equity Target market value weight 28% 12 60 Total 100% Print Done