CIMA F3 Exam With Confidence Using Practice Dumps

Current values (before project):

Equity = 1,100

Debt = 500

Firm value = 1,600

Project cost = 200; NPV = +10.

After the project:

Financed by rights issue (equity only)

Equity = 1,310 → increase of 210

But shareholders have to inject 200 cash themselves.

Net gain in shareholder wealth = 210 − 200 = 10

Financed by bond issue (all debt)

Equity = 1,150 → increase of 50

No new equity cash is put in by shareholders.

Net gain in shareholder wealth = 50

This equals: project NPV (10) + tax shield on extra debt (0.20 × 200 = 40).

Financed by mix of debt & equity at existing D/E

Equity = 1,260 → increase of 160

New equity raised ≈ 137 (since extra debt is 63, total 200).

Net gain = 160 − 137 = 23 (NPV 10 + extra tax shield ≈ 13).

The company’s objective is maximisation of shareholder wealth, so it should choose the financing that gives the highest net increase, which is the bond issue (all debt) with a gain of $50m to equity holders.

This is exactly what Modigliani & Miller with corporate tax predicts: increasing gearing creates value for shareholders via the interest tax shield.

Answer: B. $50 million if financed by debt

Current debt interest:

Existing: 5m×8%=0.40m5\text{m} \times 8\% = 0.40\text{m}5m×8%=0.40m

New: 2m×10%=0.20m2\text{m} \times 10\% = 0.20\text{m}2m×10%=0.20m

Total interest = 0.60m

Let annual sales = SSS.

Operating profit margin = 20% → OP = 0.20 S.

Interest cover covenant:

0.20S0.60≥4⇒0.20S≥2.4⇒S≥2.40.20=12.0 million\frac{0.20 S}{0.60} \ge 4 \Rightarrow 0.20 S \ge 2.4 \Rightarrow S \ge \frac{2.4}{0.20} = 12.0\ \text{million}0.600.20S​≥4⇒0.20S≥2.4⇒S≥0.202.4​=12.0 million

Correct answer: A. $12.00 million

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