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Fundamentals of Corporate Finance

Stephen A. Ross; Randolph W. Westerfield; Bradford D. Jordan

Chapter 16

FINANCIAL LEVERAGE AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE POLICY - all with Video Answers

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Chapter Questions

00:32

Problem 1

Explain what is meant by business risk and financial risk. Suppose Firm A has greater business risk than Firm B. Is it true that Firm A also has a higher cost of equity capital? Explain.

Christopher Dzorkpata
Christopher Dzorkpata
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Problem 2

How would you answer in the following debate?
Q : Isn't it true that the riskiness of a firm's equity will rise if the firm increases its use of debt financing?
A: Yes, that's the essence of M\&M Proposition II.
Q: And isn't it true that, as a firm increases its use of borrowing, the likelihood of default increases, thereby increasing the risk of the firm's debt?
$A$ : Yes.
$Q$ : In other words, increased borrowing increases the risk of the equity and the debt?
$A$ : That's right.
$Q:$ Well, given that the firm uses only debt and equity financing, and given that the risks of both are increased by increased borrowing, does it not follow that increasing debt increases the overall risk of the firm and therefore decreases the value of the firm?
A:?

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Problem 3

Is there an easily identifiable debt-equity ratio that will maximize the value of a firm? Why or why not?

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Problem 4

Refer to the observed capital structures given in Table 16.7 of the text. What do you notice about the types of industries with respect to their average debt-equity ratios? Are certain types of industries more likely to be highly leveraged than others? What are some possible reasons for this observed segmentation? Do the operating results and tax history of the firms play a role? How about their future earnings prospects? Explain.

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Problem 5

Why is the use of debt financing referred to as financial "leverage"?

Rashmi Sinha
Rashmi Sinha
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Problem 6

What is homemade leverage?

Rashmi Sinha
Rashmi Sinha
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08:12

Problem 7

As mentioned in the text, some firms have filed for bankruptcy because of actual or likely litigationrelated losses. Is this a proper use of the bankruptcy process?

Anurag Kumar
Anurag Kumar
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Problem 8

Firms sometimes use the threat of a bankruptcy filing to force creditors to renegotiate terms. Critics argue that in such cases, the firm is using bankruptcy laws "as a sword rather than a shield." Is this an ethical tactic?

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03:48

Problem 9

As mentioned in the text, Continental Airlines filed for bankruptcy, at least in part, as a means of reducing labor costs. Whether this move was ethical, or proper, was hotly debated. Give both sides of the argument.

Tina Pavlovich
Tina Pavlovich
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04:04

Problem 10

What is the basic goal of financial management with regard to capital structure?

Tommy Nguyen
Tommy Nguyen
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