Locomotive plc is planning to repurchase part of its ordinary share equity by issuing corporate debt. As a result, the firm’s debt–equity ratio is expected to rise from 40 per cent to 50 per cent. The firm currently has £7.5 million worth of debt outstanding.

The cost of this debt is 10 per cent per year. Locomotive expects to have an EBIT of £3.75 million per year in perpetuity. Locomotive pays no taxes.

(a) What is the market value of Locomotive plc before and after the repurchase announcement?

(b) What is the expected return on the firm’s equity before the announcement of the share repurchase plan?

(c) What is the expected return on the equity of an otherwise identical all-equity firm?

(d) What is the expected return on the firm’s equity after the announcement of the share repurchase plan?