You are employed by Lowell Inc. Your boss has asked you to estimate the weighted average cost of capital for the company. Following are balance sheets and some information about the company.

Assets

Current assets $30,000,000

Net plant, property, and equipment $100,000,000

Total Assets $130,000,000

Liabilities and Equity

Accounts payable $10,000,000

Accruals $10,000,000

Current liabilities $20,000,000

Long term debt (40,000 bonds, $1,000 face value) $40,000,000

Total liabilities $60,000,000

Preferred Stock (100,000 shares, $100 face value) $10,000,000

Common Stock (10,000,000 shares) $30,000,000

Retained Earnings $30,000,000

Total shareholders equity $70,000,000

Total liabilities and shareholders equity $130,000,000

You check The Wall Street Journal and see that Lowell stock is currently selling for $8.00 per share and that Lowell bonds are selling for $952 per bond. These bonds have a 8 percent coupon rate, with semi-annual payments. The bonds mature in twelve years. The preferred stock has an unlimited life and pays an 7 percent annual coupon. The preferred stock sells for $89. The beta for your company is approximately equal to 2. The risk free rate is 6.0 percent and the mrket risk premium is also 4 percent. Lowell is in the 23 percent tax bracket.

WHAT IS THE FIRM'S COST OF COMMON STOCK, Ks?

13%

14%

15%

16%

20%