What is the before-tax cost of debt of a companys new bond that has a coupon rate of 8% with semiannual coupons, a maturity of 20 years, and a par value of $1,000? The new bond can be sold to the public at $1,080.80 but the company must pay a flotation cost of $40 per bond to sell it.

a. 8.0%

b. 7.23%

c. 7.6%

d. 3.8%