U and L are two firms with the same EBIT of $100,000. They are identical in every respect except firm L has a debt of $500,000 at 5% rate of interest. The cost of equity of firm U is 8% and that of firm L is 12%. Assume that arbitrage principle will be applied in this setting and it is possible to make an arbitrage profit (surplus). Also, all earnings streams are perpetuities, taxes are ignored and both firms distribute all earnings available to common stockholders.

Assume that an investor has 20% of shares (equity) of the firm L and MM assumptions hold. That is, you will be able to borrow or lend at the same rate as the firms can (5%). How much would the arbitrage profit (surplus) be for that investor who owns 20% of equity of the firm L and plans to create that arbitrage by switching to firm U?

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

First we need to calculate the total value of firm L and firm U using the capital asset pricing mode... View the full answer