A firm has multiple divisions of similar nature, yet varying degrees of risk. Which one
of the following would be the most appropriate, yet relatively easy, means of assigning
discount rates to each of its proposed investments?
A. Assign every project a rate equal to the firm’s cost of equity
B. Assign every firm a random rate that varies between the firm’s cost of debt and its
cost of equity
C. Assign every project a rate equal to the firm’s WACC plus or minus a subjective
adjustment
D. Determine the best pure play rate for each project
E. Assign every project a rate equal to the market rate of return at the time of the
proposal
Answer:
A stock is expected to return 13 percent in an economic boom, 10 percent in a normal
economy, and 3 percent in a recessionary economy. Which one of the following will
lower the overall expected rate of return on this stock?
A. An increase in the rate of return in a recessionary economy
B. An increase in the probability of an economic boom
C. A decrease in the probability of a recession occurring
D. A decrease in the probability of an economic boom
E. An increase in the rate of return for a normal economy