Ch 09 The Cost of Capital
90. The Tierney Group has two divisions of equal size: an office furniture manufacturing division and a data processing
division. Its CFO believes that stand-alone data processor companies typically have a WACC of 9%, while stand-alone
furniture manufacturers typically have a 13% WACC. She also believes that the data processing and manufacturing
divisions have the same risk as their typical peers. Consequently, she estimates that the composite, or corporate, WACC is
11%. A consultant has suggested using a 9% hurdle rate for the data processing division and a 13% hurdle rate for the
manufacturing division. However, the CFO disagrees, and she has assigned an 11% WACC to all projects in both
divisions. Which of the following statements is CORRECT?
The decision not to adjust for risk means, in effect, that it is favoring the data processing division. Therefore,
that division is likely to become a larger part of the consolidated company over time.
The decision not to adjust for risk means that the company will accept too many projects in the manufacturing
division and too few in the data processing division. This will lead to a reduction in the firm’s intrinsic value
over time.
The decision not to risk-adjust means that the company will accept too many projects in the data processing
business and too few projects in the manufacturing business. This will lead to a reduction in its intrinsic value
over time.
The decision not to risk-adjust means that the company will accept too many projects in the manufacturing
business and too few projects in the data processing business. This may affect the firm’s capital structure but it
will not affect its intrinsic value.
While the decision to use just one WACC will result in its accepting more projects in the manufacturing
division and fewer projects in its data processing division than if it followed the consultant’s recommendation,
this should not affect the firm’s intrinsic value.
Difficulty: Moderate
Multiple Choice
FMTP.EHRH.17.09.11 – LO: 9-11
United States – BUSPROG: Analytic
United States – AK – DISC: Capital budgeting and cost – DISC: Capital budgeting and cost of
United States – OH – Default City – TBA
Risk-adjusted capital cost
TYPE: Multiple Choice: Conceptual
8/26/2015 10:45 AM
8/26/2015 10:45 AM