Define the term- Cost of capital
Cost of capital is the rate of return a firm should earn on its investments for the market value of the firm to remain unchanged. Acceptance of projects with a rate of return below the cost of capital will decrease the value of firm; acceptance of projects with a rate of return above the cost of capital would increase the value of the firm. Objective of the financial manager is to maximize the wealth of firm's owners. Using the cost of capital as a foundation for rejecting or accepting investments is consistent with this goal.