CAPM Formula

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CPA Business Environment and Concepts (BEC) › CAPM Formula

Questions 1 - 6
1

The overall cost of capital is the:

Rate of return on assets that covers the costs associated with the funds employed

Maximum rate of return on assets

Minimum rate a firm must earn on high risk projects

Cost of the firm's equity capital at which the market value of the firm will remain unchanged

Explanation

Firms must at least earn a rate of return on investments equal to their cost of capital, otherwise the investments are losing money and decreasing value.

2

ABC company is determining how to finance some long term debt projects. ABC has decided it prefers the benefits of no fixed charges, no fixed maturity date, and an increase in the creditworthiness of the company. Which of the following would best meet ABC's financing requirements?

Bonds

Common stock

Short term debt

Long term debt

Explanation

Common stock does not require payment, does not mature, and decreases the debt to equity ratio as there is no debt incurred.

3

Using the capital asset pricing model, the required rate of return for a firm with a beta of 1.25 when the market return is 14% and the risk-free rate is 6% is:

14%

17.50%

16%

7.50%

Explanation

Cost of retained earnings=6% + 1.25 (14% - 6%) = 16%

4

The cost of debt most frequently is measured as:

Actual interest rate minus tax savings

Actual interest rate adjusted for inflation

Actual interest rate

Actual interest rate plus a risk premium

Explanation

Actual interest rates minus tax savings is the most frequently used measure for cost of debt.

5

The benefits of debt financing over equity financing are likely to be highest in which of the following situations?

Low marginal tax rates and many noninterest tax benefits

Low marginal tax rates and few noninterest tax benefits

High marginal tax rates and many noninterest tax benefits

High marginal tax rates and few noninterest tax benefits

Explanation

The benefits of debt financing over equity financing are likely to be highest if marginal tax rates are high and if there are few noninterest tax benefits.

6

Of the following, which would not impact the CAPM formula in determining a firm's cost of retained earnings?

Treasury yield

Risk-free rate

Beta

Net income

Explanation

Treasury yield is the same as the risk-free rate, which would be included in CAPM as well as beta. Net income is not.

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