CIMA F3 Exam With Confidence Using Practice Dumps

Workings (Modigliani & Miller with tax):

Current (unlevered) cost of capital ku=9%k_u = 9\%ku​=9%

Cost of debt kd=3%k_d = 3\%kd​=3%

Tax rate T=25%T = 25\%T=25%

Target D/E=1/2=0.5D/E = 1/2 = 0.5D/E=1/2=0.5

Formula with tax:

ke=ku+(ku−kd)(1−T)DEk_e = k_u + (k_u - k_d)(1-T)\frac{D}{E}ke​=ku​+(ku​−kd​)(1−T)ED​ ke=9%+(9%−3%)×0.75×0.5=9%+6%×0.375=9%+2.25%=11.25%≈11.3%k_e = 9\% + (9\% - 3\%) \times 0.75 \times 0.5 = 9\% + 6\% \times 0.375 = 9\% + 2.25\% = 11.25\% \approx 11.3\%ke​=9%+(9%−3%)×0.75×0.5=9%+6%×0.375=9%+2.25%=11.25%≈11.3%

So the nearest option is 11.3% (C).

We’re looking for long-term changes that would improve a company’s credit rating (i.e. reduce perceived credit risk and increase capacity to service debt):

A. Increase in interest cover (EBIT / interest) → higher coverage, safer for lenders → positive.

B. Decrease in (Net debt)/(EBITDA) → lower leverage relative to earnings → positive.

C. Increase in free cash flow from operations → more internally generated cash to pay interest and repay debt → positive.

D. Decrease in (Book debt)/(Book equity) is also a good sign in reality, but the question restricts us to three; exam focus is usually on coverage and cash flow-based ratios, so A, B and C are the best three.

E. Decrease in dividend cover (earnings / dividend) means paying a larger proportion of earnings out as dividends → less retained profit and weaker protection for creditors → negative for credit rating.

So the three most likely to improve the rating: A, B, C.

Equity: $30m

Debt: $35m at 5% interest, redeemable in 5 years

They require 30% p.a. compound on the equity and no dividends are paid.

Equity value required in 5 years

Future value=30×1.35=30×3.71293≈$111.39m\text{Future value} = 30 \times 1.3^5 = 30 \times 3.71293 \approx \$111.39\text{m}Future value=30×1.35=30×3.71293≈$111.39m

Debt cash flows

Annual interest: 35×5%=$1.75m35 \times 5\% = \$1.75\text{m}35×5%=$1.75m → over 5 years: 1.75×5=$8.75m1.75 \times 5 = \$8.75\text{m}1.75×5=$8.75m

Principal repaid in year 5: $35m

Total due to venture capitalists

111.39+8.75+35=$155.14m (approx)111.39 + 8.75 + 35 = \$155.14\text{m (approx)}111.39+8.75+35=$155.14m (approx)

Answer: A. $155.14 million