The CFO of Sterling Chemical is interested in evaluating the cost of equity capital for his firm. However, Sterling uses very little debt in its capital structure (the firm's debt-to-equity capitalization ratio is only 20%), while larger chemical firms use substantially higher amount of debt. The following table shows the levered equity betas, debt-to-equity ratios, and debt betas for three of the largest chemical firms: Company Name Levered Equity Betas Debt/Equity Capitalizatioin Assumed Debt Betas Easman Chemical Co. (EMN) 1.79 30.77% 0.30 Celanese Copr. (CE) 1.98 23.55% 0.30 Dow Chemical Company (DOW) 1.71 21.60% 0.30 a. Use the information given above to estimate the unlevered equity betas for each of the companies. b. If Sterling's debt-to-equity capitalization ratio is .20 and its debt beta is 30, what is your estimate of the firm's levered equity beta?

Essentials Of Investments
11th Edition
ISBN:9781260013924
Author:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Publisher:Bodie, Zvi, Kane, Alex, MARCUS, Alan J.
Chapter1: Investments: Background And Issues
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The CFO of Sterling Chemical is interested in evaluating the cost of equity capital for his firm. However, Sterling uses very little debt in its capital structure (the firm's debt-to-equity capitalization ratio is only 20%), while larger chemical firms use substantially higher amount of debt. The following table shows the levered equity betas, debt-to-equity ratios, and debt betas for three of the largest chemical firms:

Company Name Levered Equity Betas Debt/Equity Capitalizatioin Assumed Debt Betas
Easman Chemical Co. (EMN) 1.79 30.77% 0.30
Celanese Copr. (CE) 1.98 23.55% 0.30
Dow Chemical Company (DOW) 1.71 21.60% 0.30

a. Use the information given above to estimate the unlevered equity betas for each of the companies.

b. If Sterling's debt-to-equity capitalization ratio is .20 and its debt beta is 30, what is your estimate of the firm's levered equity beta?

(answer it in excel)

                           
  PROBLEM 4-7                  
                           
  Given   a. Solution:         Solution Legend
  Analysis of unlevered equity beta with risky debt beta = .30  Tax Rate 38%               = Value given in problem
                        = Formula/Calculation/Analysis required
    Levered  Debt/Equity Assumed   Unlevered           = Qualitative analysis or Short answer required
  Company Name Equity Betas Capitalization  Debt Betas    Equity Betas            = Goal Seek or Solver cell  
  Eastman Chemical Co. (EMN)                           1.7900 30.77% 0.30                        = Crystal Ball Input  
  Celanese Corp. (CE)                           1.9800 23.55% 0.30                        = Crystal Ball Output  
  Dow Chemical Company (DOW)                           1.7100 21.60% 0.30                           
                           
        Average                  
                           
  b. Solution                        
  Analysis of Sterling                        
  Analysis based on simple average of unlevered equity betas                      
  beta unlevered D/E beta debt D/E    beta levered               
    20.00% 0.30 0.2                  
                           
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