Question: Schroeder Electronics (Schroeder) is evaluating a new investment Project X, which is totally unrelated to its existing line of business. However, it has identified a
Schroeder Electronics (Schroeder) is evaluating a new investment Project X, which is totally unrelated to its existing line of business. However, it has identified a publicly traded comparable firm ZES that is exclusively engaged in the same line of business as Project X. Additional information for ZES are given in the table below.
| Debt outstanding (book value, AA- rated) | $ 50 million |
| Number of shares outstanding | 50 million |
| Stock price per share | $10 |
| Book value of Equity per share | $7 |
| Beta of equity | 1.4 |
Assume that Schroeder has a debt to equity ratio of 0.4 and a marginal tax rate of 28%. The current yield of Schroeders long term debt is 4.5%. The risk-free rate is 3% and the market risk premium is 5%.
- Assume a debt beta of zero and estimate ZESs asset beta using the information above.
- Explain how debt features affect the beta of debt. When is it more suitable to assume that debt has a zero beta? (Please type your answer in no more than 50 words)
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