You are comparing two possible capital structures for a firm. The first option is an all-equity firm. The second option involves the use of $3.8 million of debt. The break-even point between these two financing options occurs when the earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) are $428,000. Given this, you know that leverage is beneficial to the firm:

	only when EBIT is $428,000.
	whenever EBIT is less than $428,000.
	only if the debt is decreased by $428,000.
	whenever EBIT exceeds $428,000.
	only if the debt is increased by $428,000.