Gabella’s is an all-equity firm that has 21,000 shares of stock outstanding at a market
price of $40 a share. The firm has earnings before interest and taxes of $84,000 and has
a 100 percent dividend payout ratio. Ignore taxes. Gabella’s has decided to issue
$160,000 of debt at a rate of 12 percent and use the proceeds to repurchase shares. Terry
owns 400 shares of Gabella’s stock and has decided to continue holding those shares.
How will Gabella’s debt issue affect Terry’s annual dividend income?
A. Decrease from $2,400 to $1,840
B. Increase from $2,400 to $2,160
C. Decrease from $1,600 to $1,525
D. Increase from $1,600 to $2,094
E. No change
Answer:
The Christmas Tree Farms, Inc. currently has 45,000 shares of stock outstanding and no
debt. The price per share is $17.50. The firm is considering borrowing funds at 7.5
percent interest and using the proceeds to repurchase 4,000 shares of stock. Ignore
taxes. How much is the firm borrowing?