CIMA F3 Exam With Confidence Using Practice Dumps

B, a European based modern art dealer, frequently imports and sells single high value items created in the United States. The price is fixed at the date of sale but the items are commissioned and made to order with a lead time of three to nine months depending on the individual specification

B holds payment for his customers from the point of purchase and passes funds when the items are shipped However, despite putting the money on short term deposit, there have been times when B's profits have been almost entirely eroded by adverse movements m interest rates Advise B by matching the appropriate instrument to B's requirements.

A company has a financial objective of maintaining a gearing ratio of between 30% and 40%, where gearing is defined as debt/equity at market values. 

The company has been affected by a recent economic downturn leading to a shortage of liquidity and a fall in the share price during 20X1.

On 31 December 20X1 the company was funded by:

•    Share capital of 4 million $1 shares trading at $4.0 per share.

•    Debt of $7 million floating rate borrowings.

The directors plan to raise $2 million additional borrowings in order to improve liquidity.  

They expect this to reassure investors about the company's liquidity position and result in a rise in the share price to $4.2 per share.

Is the planned increase in borrowings expected to help the company meet its gearing objective?

Company A is identical in all operating and risk characteristics to Company B, but their capital structures differ.

Company B is all-equity financed. Its cost of equity is 17%.

Company A has a gearing ratio (debt:equity) of 1:2. Its pre-tax cost of debt is 7%. 

Company A and Company B both pay corporate income tax at 30%.

What is the cost of equity for Company A?