1.
Katie owns 100 shares of ABC stock. Which one of the following terms is used to refer to the return that Katie and the other shareholders require on their investment in ABC?
Correct Answer
C. Cost of equity
Explanation
The return that Katie and the other shareholders require on their investment in ABC is referred to as the cost of equity. This represents the rate of return that shareholders expect to earn in order to compensate for the risk they are taking by investing in the company's stock. It is a measure of the cost of financing the company through equity and is calculated by considering the dividends expected to be received and the current market price of the stock.
2.
Lester lent money to The Corner Store by purchasing bonds issued by the store. The rate of return that he and the other lenders require is referred to as the:
Correct Answer
B. Cost of debt.
Explanation
Lester lent money to The Corner Store by purchasing bonds issued by the store. The rate of return that he and the other lenders require is referred to as the cost of debt. This is because when a company issues bonds, it agrees to pay interest to the bondholders, which represents the cost of borrowing for the company. The lenders, including Lester, expect to earn a return on their investment in the form of interest payments, making the cost of debt the correct answer.
3.
The weighted average cost of capital is defined as the weighted average of a firm's:
Correct Answer
B. Cost of equity and its aftertax cost of debt.
Explanation
The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) is a calculation that represents the average rate of return a company needs to earn on its investments in order to satisfy its investors. It is calculated by weighting the cost of equity and the aftertax cost of debt based on their respective proportions in the company's capital structure. The cost of equity represents the return required by shareholders, while the aftertax cost of debt represents the cost of borrowing for the company. By combining these two components, the WACC provides a comprehensive measure of the cost of financing for the company.
4.
In an efficient market, the cost of equity for a risky firm does which one of the following according to the security market line?
Correct Answer
E. Increases in direct relation to the stock's systematic risk
Explanation
The cost of equity for a risky firm increases in direct relation to the stock's systematic risk. This means that as the firm's stock becomes riskier, the cost of equity also increases. The systematic risk of a stock is measured by its beta, which represents the stock's sensitivity to market movements. A higher beta indicates a higher systematic risk, and therefore a higher cost of equity. This relationship is consistent with the security market line, which shows the expected return of a stock based on its systematic risk.
5.
Which one of the following is the pre-tax cost of debt?
Correct Answer
C. Weighted average yield-to-maturity on the firm's outstanding debt
Explanation
The pre-tax cost of debt refers to the interest rate that a company pays on its debt before taking into account any tax benefits. The weighted average yield-to-maturity on the firm's outstanding debt represents the average return that investors expect to earn on the firm's debt securities until they mature. This yield-to-maturity takes into account the coupon rate and the market price of each bond, as well as the time remaining until maturity. Therefore, it is an appropriate measure to estimate the pre-tax cost of debt for the company.
6.
The cost of preferred stock:
Correct Answer
D. Is equal to the stock's dividend yield.
Explanation
The cost of preferred stock is equal to the stock's dividend yield. This means that the cost of preferred stock is determined by the dividend payments made to the stockholders. As the dividend yield increases, the cost of preferred stock also increases. Conversely, if the dividend yield decreases, the cost of preferred stock decreases. The other options are incorrect because they do not accurately represent the relationship between the cost of preferred stock and the stock's dividend yield.
7.
Which one of the following represents the rate of return a firm must earn on its assets if it is to maintain the current value of its securities?
Correct Answer
D. Weighted average cost of capital
Explanation
The weighted average cost of capital represents the rate of return a firm must earn on its assets in order to maintain the current value of its securities. It takes into account the cost of equity and the aftertax cost of debt, weighted by their respective proportions in the firm's capital structure. By calculating the weighted average cost of capital, the firm can determine the minimum rate of return it needs to generate in order to satisfy its investors and maintain the value of its securities.
8.
Which one of the following is the primary determinant of an investment's cost of capital?
Correct Answer
C. Level of risk
Explanation
The primary determinant of an investment's cost of capital is the level of risk. The cost of capital is the return that investors require in order to invest in a particular project. Higher levels of risk are associated with higher required returns, which in turn increases the cost of capital. This is because investors demand a higher return to compensate them for taking on additional risk. Therefore, the level of risk is a crucial factor in determining the cost of capital for an investment.