Calculating the Cost of Equity Smaltz Enterprises is currently involved in its annual review of the firm’s cost of capital. Historically, the firm has relied on the CAPM to estimate its cost of equity capital. The firm estimates that its equity beta is 1.25, and the yield to maturity on long-term US Treasury bonds is 4.28%. The firm’s CFO is currently in a debate with one of the firm’s advisers at its investment bank about the level of the market risk premium. Historically, Smaltz has used 7% to approximate the market risk premium. However, the investment banker argues that this premium has shrunk dramatically in recent years and is more likely to be in the 3% to 4% range.
a. Estimate Smaltz’s cost of equity capital using a market risk premium of 3.5%.
b. Smaltz’s capital structure is comprised of 75% equity (based on current market prices) and 25% debt on which the firm pays a yield of 5.125% before taxes at 25%. What is the firm’s WACC using both a 3% and 4% market risk premium?