Which of the following is an example of agency costs? In each case, management is advocating a substantial acquisition and management compensation is heavily composed of stock options.

A. Management believes the acquisition will be positive for shareholder value but negative for the value and interests of the company’s debtholders.

B. Management’s stock options are worthless at the current share price. The acquisition has a high (50%) risk of failure (with zero value) but substantial (30%) upside if it works out.

C. The acquisition is positive for equityholders and does not significantly impair the position of debtholders. However, the acquisition puts the company into a new business where labor practices are harsh and the production process is environmentally damaging.