QUESTION 2:

a) Adams Inc. expects EBIT of $50 million if there is a recession, $100 million if the economy is normal, and $150 million if the economy expands. Bellingham Inc. also expects EBIT of $50 million if there is a recession, $100 million if the economy is normal, and $150 million if the economy expands. Adams is financed entirely with equity while Bellingham is financed 50% with debt at 10%. Adams has $200 million in equity; Bellingham is financed with $100 million of debt and $100 million of equity. The tax rate is 30%. Both firms pay out all available earnings as dividends. If there is a recession, compare dividends and total distributions to investors for each company.

b) Cheshire Corporation is now financed 100% with equity. The cost of equity is 15%. Cheshire is considering a proposal to borrow enough money at 7% to buy back half of its common stock. It would then be financed 50% with debt and 50% with equity. Assume that this does not affect the cost of equity. Cheshire's tax rate is 40%. What is Cheshire's cost of capital without and with the stock repurchase?