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Advanced financing decision

Unit: Advanced Financial Management

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August 2025

3 Questions
Question 2a
​​Modigliani and Miller contended that in a perfect capital market, the value of a company depended simply on its income stream and the degree of business risk attached to this regardless of the way in which its income was split between the owners and lenders. 

Required: 
With reference to the above statement, explain FIVE assumptions of Modigliani and Miller hypothesis.


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Question 3d
​ ​​Reno Limited is engaged in plastics manufacture. It is now considering a new investment that would involve diversification into chemical manufacturing, where the business risk is very different from the plastic manufacturing industry. 

Research has produced the following information about three companies currently engaged in chemicals manufacturing, in the same part of the industry that Reno Limited is planning to invest.

Company
Equity beta 
Financed by: 
X
1.33
40% equity capital, 60% debt capital
Y
0.78
75% equity capital, 25% debt capital
Z
0.725
80% equity capital, 20% debt capital 

Additional information: 
1. Reno Limited is financed by 60% equity capital and 40% debt capital and would intend to maintain this same capital structure if the new capital investment is undertaken. 
2. The risk free rate of return is 5% and the return on the market portfolio is 9%. 
3. The corporation tax is at the rate of 30%. 
4. Assume that the debt capital of Reno Limited and companies X, Y and Z is risk free. 

Required: 
(i) Calculate a suitable cost of equity for the proposed investment by Reno Limited in chemicals manufacturing. 

(ii) Suggest a weighted average cost of capital (WACC) that should be used to carryout an investment appraisal (Net Present Value calculation) of the proposed project. 


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Question 1c
​​Describe FOUR advantages Eurobond market offer over a domestic bond market that makes it an attractive way for companies to raise capital.


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April 2025

2 Questions
Question 5b
​ ​ ​​Viruga Ltd. is an unlevered firm. The firm expects to generate earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of Sh.20 million each year in perpetuity. The firm’s current market value is Sh.120 million and pays corporation tax at the rate of 30%. The management of the firm is considering the use of debt financing. The firm’s financial analyst has estimated that the present value of any future financial distress cost is Sh.80 million and that the probability of financial distress would increase with leverage according to the following schedule:

Value of debt 
Probability of financial distress
Pre-tax cost of debt (%)
Sh.“million” 
25
0.0000
7
50
0.0125
8
75
0.0250
9
100
0.0625
10
125
0.1250
11
150
0.3125
12
200
0.7500
13

Required: 
(i) The current cost of equity and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of the firm. 

(ii) The firm’s optimal level of debt financing using the “Pure” Modigliani and Miller with corporate tax model.

(iii) The firm’s optimal level of debt financing using Modigliani and Miller with corporate taxes and financial distress. 


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Question 2a
​​Discuss the following theories of capital structure: 
 
(i) Pecking order theory.  
 
(ii) Static trade off theory.
 
(iii) Agency effect theory.


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December 2024

4 Questions
Question 2c
​ ​​Jamla Ltd. is considering undertaking a financial reconstruction during which it would repurchase its outstanding ordinary shares using debt. This will raise its debt to equity ratio to 1.80. The following information was available for the company: 

  1. Existing debt to equity ratio is 1.20. 
  2. The asset beta is 0.60. 
  3. The risk-free rate of return is 6%. 
  4. The return of market portfolio is 12%. 
  5. Debt finance is considered to be risk free. 
  6. The corporate tax rate is 30%.  
Required: 
(i) The firm’s levered equity beta before and after the financial reconstruction. 

(ii) The firm’s cost of equity before and after the financial reconstruction using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). 

(iii) The firm’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC) before and after the financial reconstruction.


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Question 3b
​ ​ ​​The following extract of statement of financial position of Varma Ltd. shows the capital structure of the company as at 31 March 2024 which the management of the company considers optimal:

Sh.“000” 
Ordinary share capital (Par value Sh.375) 
187,500
Reserves
364,500
Shareholder’s equity 
552,000
Long-term liability: 
14% debenture stock (Par value Sh.1,500) 
355,500
Capital employed 
907,500

Additional information: 
1. The company’s earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) averages Sh.150,000,000 per annum. These earnings are expected to be maintained in the foreseeable future. 
2. The ordinary shares are currently trading at Sh.800 per share. 
3. The market price of the debenture is Sh.1,575 per debenture. 
4. The corporate tax rate for the company is 30% per annum. 

Required: 
Using the net income approach (incorporating taxes), calculate the company’s: 

(i) Cost of equity. 

(ii) After tax cost of debt (market weighted). 

(iii) Weighted average cost of capital (WACC).
   


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Question 3c
​​Outline two assumptions of the net income approach used in determining the capital structure of a firm.


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Question 4c
​ ​​ABA Ltd. has a 20-year, 14% debenture worth Sh.250 million which has been in operation for the last 10 years. ABA Ltd. still has in its books issue costs amounting to Sh.900,000 being half the total amount originally capitalised. This debenture can be paid off at any time but the financiers will charge a penalty amounting to 9% of face value. 

The directors of the company are considering replacing this debenture with a new 10-year, 12% debenture with a face value of Sh.250 million. The issue costs will amount to 10% of gross proceeds. The company is in the 30% tax bracket and there will be interest overlap for 3 months. 

Required: 
(i) The net cash investment that will be required to replace the existing debenture. 

(ii) The annual cash benefits to be derived from refinancing the current debenture. 

(iii) Using the Net Present Value (NPV) method, advise ABA Ltd. on whether or not to refund the existing debenture.


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August 2024

4 Questions
Question 3a
​​Highlight FOUR reasons why firms make bond refinancing decisions.


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Question 5a
​​Discuss THREE types of crowdfunding.


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Question 4c
​ ​ ​ ​ ​​The finance director of Dambo Ltd. wishes to find the company’s optimal capital structure. The cost of debt varies according to the company’s credit rating, which itself depends, amongst other factors, the level of gearing of the company as shown below:

Percentage (%) of debt (Debt/Debt + Equity) 
Likely credit rating 
Pre-tax cost of debt (%) 
10
AAA
6.5
20
AA
7.1
30
A
7.8
40
BBB
8.5
50
BB
10
60
B
12
70
C
15

Additional information: 
1. The company’s ungeared equity beta (asset beta) is 0.85. 
2. The risk free rate is 6% per annum. 
3. The market return is 14% per annum. 
4. The corporate tax rate is 30%. 

Required: 
(i) The optimal weighted average cost of capital (WACC) for the company.

(ii) Interpret your results in (c) (i) above.
     Hint: Formula for computing equity beta 
 
 
​ \(\displaystyle \text{β}_e = \text{β}_a \left[\frac{E + D(1 – t)}{E} \right]\)

  Where:
\(\text{β}_e\)​= Equity beta
\(\text{β}_a\)​= Asset beta
D = Debt
E = Equity
t = Corporate tax rate 


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Question 3b
​​​​Palm Limited has Sh.12.5 billion of equity capital and Sh.2.5 billion of debt capital, all at current market value. The cost of equity is 14% and the cost of debt is 8%. The company is planning to raise Sh.2.5 billion by issuing new ordinary shares. It will use the money to redeem all the debt capital. 

Required: 
Using the Modigliani and Miller (MM) proposition, determine the cost of equity of the company after the debt has been redeemed. Assume that there is no corporate tax if the company issues new equity.


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April 2024

2 Questions
Question 5c
​ ​​Kawaida Ltd. has Sh.3,000,000 in equity capital and Sh.1,000,000 in debt capital (at market values). The beta value of the equity is 1.126 and the beta of the debt capital is 0. 
 
The risk free cost of capital is 5% and the market portfolio return is 11%. 
 
The tax rate is 30%. 
 
Required: 
(i) Calculate the current weighted average cost of capital (WACC).  
 
(ii) Compute the asset beta for the company and explain what this means.  
 
(iii) Calculate the equity beta, the cost of equity and the WACC would be if the company consisted of 60% equity and 40% debt.


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Question 2b
​ ​ ​​Cosmos Operators Ltd. have an optimal capital structure given as follows:

Sh.“000”
Ordinary share capital (Sh.20 par value each) 
80,000
Reserves
20,000
16% debt (Sh.100 par value each) 
40,000
10% preference share capital (Sh.30 per value each) 
60,000
200,000

Additional information: 
1. The firm is considering raising Sh.20 million for an expansion programme of which Sh.2,000,000 is expected to be raised from internal sources. 
2. New ordinary shares will be issued at Sh.35 each. A floatation cost of Sh.5 per share issued will be incurred. 
3. The firm’s most recent earnings per share (EPS) is Sh.3. The firm adopts 50% pay out ratio as its dividend policy. Dividends are expected to grow at a rate of 5% each year in a perpetuity. 
4. New 10% irredeemable debentures will be issued at Sh.110 each. A floatation cost of Sh.10 per debenture will be incurred. 
5. New 10% irredeemable preference shares will be issued at Sh.40 each. 
6. Corporation tax rate is 30%. 

Required: 
(i) The retained earnings break point. 

(ii) The number of new ordinary shares to be issued to raise the desired external equity. 

(iii) The weighted marginal cost of capital (WMCC) in each of the intervals between the breakpoints. 


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December 2023

1 Questions
Question 1b
​ ​ ​​In a study carried out by a financial analyst, the earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) of Papa Ltd. and Kaka Ltd. was found to be Sh.10 million. 

Papa Ltd. is fully equity financed while Kaka Ltd. is financed partly using equity and debt. The capital structures of both firms are given as follows:

Papa Ltd. 
Sh.“million”
Kaka Ltd. 
Sh.“million”
Equity (market value) 
100
70
5% debt (trading at par) 
-
50

Additional information: 
  1. Both firms adopt a 100% pay out ratio as their dividend policy. 
  2. The cost of equity of Papa Ltd. is 10%. 
Required: 
Using Modigliani and Miller’s proposition in the absence of taxes: 

(i) Determine the cost of equity of Kaka Ltd. 

(ii) Comment on the equilibrium position on the value of both firms and hence show that the capital structure decision will have no effect on both value of the firms and their weighted average cost of (WACC). 

(iii) Calculate the arbitrage profit (if any) for a shareholder holding 10% of the shares of Kaka Ltd. 


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April 2023

1 Questions
Question 1a
​ ​​(i) Explain the term “static trade off theory of capital structure”.

(ii) Selected financial information for Tembo Ltd. is shown below:

Yield to maturity on debt 
8%
Market value of debt 
Sh.100 million
Number of ordinary shares 
10 million
Market price per ordinary share
Sh.30
Cost of capital if all equity financed 
10.3%
Marginal tax rate
30%

Additional information:
1.
Johnson Njogu, a financial analyst expects that an increase in Tembo Ltd’s financial leverage will increase its costs of debt and equity.
2.
 Based on an examination of similar companies in Tembo Ltd. industry, Johnson Njogu estimates that the company’s cost of debt and cost of equity at various debt to total capital ratios are as shown below: Estimates of Tembo Ltd. before tax costs of debt and equity:
Debt to total capital ratio (%) 
Cost of debt (%) 
Cost of equity (%) 
20
7.7
12.5
30
8.4
13.0
40
9.3
14.0
50
10.4
16.0

Required 
Determine the debt to total capital ratio that would minimise Tembo Ltd.’s weighted average cost of capital (WACC). 


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December 2022

2 Questions
Question 4c
​ ​​Kilop Ltd. has decided to instal a new milling machine.

 Additional information:
1.
The machine costs Sh.28,000,000 and it would have a useful life of five years with a trade in value of Sh.5,600,000 at the end of year five. 
2.
The company has two options:

Option A
Purchase the machine for cash using a bank facility. The current rate of interest is 15% before tax.

Option B
Lease the machine under an agreement which would entail payment of Sh.6,720,000 at the end of each year for the next five years.
3.
The corporate rate of tax is 30%.
4.
 Capital allowance is given at the rate of 100% in year one if the machine is purchased. 
5.
Tax is payable one year in arrears.

Required: 
Advise Kilop Ltd. whether to lease or buy the machine.


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Question 3a
​ ​​Two firms, A Ltd. and B Ltd. operate in the same industry. The two firms are similar in all aspects except for their capital structures. 

The following additional information is available: 

  1. A Ltd. is financed using Sh.100 million worth of ordinary shares. 
  2. B Ltd. is financed using Sh.50 million in ordinary shares and Sh.50 million 7% debentures. 
  3. The earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) are Sh.10 million for both firms. These earnings are expected to remain constant indefinitely. 
  4. The cost of equity in A Ltd. is 10%.
  5. The corporate tax rate is 30%. 
Required: 
Using the Modigliani and Miller (MM) model, determine the following: 

(i) The market value of A Ltd. and B Ltd.

(ii) The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of A Ltd. and B. Ltd.


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August 2022

3 Questions
Question 2a
​​
Libe Ltd. debt-equity ratio, by market value is 2:5. The corporate debt, which is assumed to yield a return similar to treasury bills have a rate of 10% before tax. 
 
The beta value of the company’s equity is currently 1.1. The average returns on stock market equity are 15%. 
 
The company is now proposing to invest in a project which would involve diversification into a new industry. 
 
The following information is available relating to this industry: 
  1. Average beta coefficient of equity capital is 1.60. 
  2. Average debt-equity ratio in the industry is 1:2 (by market value). 
  3. The corporation rate of tax is 30%.  
Required: 
Determine the suitable cost of capital to apply to the project.​​


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Question 3c
​ ​​Bezo Construction Company Ltd. made a Sh.20 million bond issue 5 years ago when interest rates were substantially high. The interest rates have now fallen and the firm wishes to retire this old debt and replace it with a new and cheaper one. Given below are details about the two bond issue: 

Old Bond: The outstanding Sh.20 million bond has a nominal value of Sh.1,000 and a coupon rate of 20%. They were issued 5 years ago with a 25-year maturity. They were initially sold at 5% discount to attract investors and the firm incurred a floatation cost of Sh.450,000. The bond is callable at Sh.1,150 per unit. 

New Bond: The new bond issue of Sh.20 million would have Sh.1,000 nominal value per unit and 18% coupon rate. They would have a 20-year maturity and will be sold at 10% discount to attract investors. Floatation cost on the new bond are estimated at Sh.550,000.

Assume two months overlapping period and corporation tax rate of 30%. 

Required: 
(i) Determine the incremental initial cash outlay required to issue the new bond.

(ii) Calculate the annual cash flow saving (if any), expected from the bond refinancing.

(iii) Determine the net present value (NPV) of the bond refinancing and hence advise the company accordingly.


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Question 4a
​ ​​Assess four circumstances under which a company would consider reorganising its operations rather than liquidating.


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April 2022

3 Questions
Question 3a
​Modigliani and Miller (MM) suggested that “real world considerations, primarily institutional constraints on high leverage, would prevent firms from approaching 100% debt levels”. 

Required: 
Giving reasons, explain whether you agree with the above statement.


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Question 1b
​ ​ ​ ​​Dansof Limited is a juice processing firm which is solely equity financed. The company’s board of directors are considering diversifying their operations by entering into the soda processing industry. 

Additional information: 
  1. The current unlevered equity beta is 1.4 for Dansoft Limited and 1.5 for the soda processing industry respectively. 
  2. The gearing in the soda processing industry is on average 40%. Hence, the capital structure comprises 40% debt and 60% equity. 
  3. The return on market portfolio is 15%.
  4. The risk free rate of return is 12%. 
  5. Debt finance is considered to be risk free. 
  6. The Hamada Model should be used to determine the levered equity beta. 
  7. The cost of equity will be determined using the capital asset pricing model (CAPM). 
  8. Corporation tax rate is 30%.

Required: 
Recommend the suitable discounting rate for the new investment if the directors were to finance the new project as follows: 

(i)
20% debt and 80% equity. 
(ii)
50% debt and 50% equity. 

Hamada Model 

\(\beta_L =\beta_U[1 + (1 -T)(D/E)]\)

Where:

\(\beta_L\)​​\(=\)​ Levered beta

\(\beta_U\)​ ​\(=\)​ Unlevered beta 

T ​\(=\)​ Tax rate 

\(D/E =\)​ Debt to equity ratio



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Question 3b
​ ​​An unlevered firm operates in a perfect market and has a net operating profit (EBIT) of Sh.4,000,000. The required rate of return on assets of firms in this industry is 16%. 

 Assume that the firm issues Sh.10,000,000 worth of debt with a required rate of return of 14.5% and uses the proceeds to repurchase outstanding shares. 

There are no corporate or personal taxes. 

Required: 
(i) The market value and required rate of return of this firm’s shares before the repurchase transaction according to MM proposition I. 

(ii) The market value and required rate of return of this firm’s remaining shares after the repurchase transaction according to MM proposition IT.


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December 2021

3 Questions
Question 3c
​ ​​The following data relates to Kaban Ltd., a company that operates in the manufacturing sector for the year ended 31 December 2020:

Sh. "000"
Sales
25,678
Total assets
49,579
Total liabilities
5,044
Retained earnings 
1,770
Net working capital
(1,777)
Earnings before interest and taxes
2,605
Market value of equity
10,098
Book value of total liabilities
5,044

The company is currently paying interest on a long term debt instrument amounting to Sh.905.000 per year and that the company's total liabilities is constituted in the ratio of 2:5 between current and non-current components. 

Required: 
Using the Springate model, assess the financial health of the company. 

Note: The Springate model takes the following form: 

Z = 1.03A + 3.07B + 0.66C + 0.4D 

Where:

\(A =\)​​\(\displaystyle \frac{\text{Net Working Capital}}{\text{Total Assets}}\)

\(В =\)​ ​\(\displaystyle \frac{\text{Operating Profit}}{\text{Total Assets}}\)

\(C =\)​​\(\displaystyle \frac{\text{Net Profit Before Taxes}}{\text{Current Liabilities}}\)

\(D =\)​​\(\displaystyle \frac{\text{Sales}}{\text{Total Assets}}\)


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Question 1b
​ ​ ​ ​​Zeka Ltd. has a cost of equity of 20%. The company currently has in issue 500,000 shares outstanding and selling on the Securities Exchange at Sh.200 each. The firm's earnings per share (EPS) at the end of the current year is estimated at Sh.15 and it intends to maintain a constant dividend payout ratio of 60%. The company's expected net income is Sh.6 million and the available investment proposals are estimated to require Sh.12 million. 

Required: 
Using Modigliani and Miller's proposition on dividend irrelevance, show that the payment or non-payment of dividend does not affect the current value of the firm.


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Question 1a
​​Summarise four assumptions of Modigliani and Miller (MM) hypothesis.


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September 2021

1 Questions
Question 3b
​ ​ ​​Zeltex Limited intends to acquire a mainframe computer for processing and storage of its data. The computer is expected to cost Sh.800,000. 'The finance director has made two proposals for acquiring the computer. 

Proposal 1: Leasing option 
Lease the computer for 5 years before the new model is introduced. The lease payments constitute Sh.150.000 per annum for 5 years. Repair and maintenance costs incurred are estimated at Sh.100,000 per annum for 5 years. The firm can choose to exercise the option to buy the computer for Sh.100.000 after 5 years. 

Proposal 2: Purchase option 
The firm can borrow Sh.800,000 from a commercial bank at an interest rate of 16% per annum to finance the purchase of the asset. The interest on the loan is payable on a reducing balance basis. 

The salvage value of the asset is estimated to be Sh. 150,000 after 5 years. Depreciation is on a reducing balance basis. Corporate tax rate is 30%. Service and maintenance cost would amount to Sh.80,000 per annum. 

Required: 
(i) An evaluation of both Option I and Option 2. 

(ii) Advise the company on whether it should buy or lease the asset.


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May 2021

2 Questions
Question 3b
​ ​ ​​Bamboo Ltd. is currently an unlevered firm. The firm is expected to generate a constant operating profit (EBIT) of Sh.20 million per annum in perpetuity. The firm's current market value is Sh.80 million. 

The management is considering undertaking an expansion activity by use of debt financing. The firm's financial analysts have estimated that the present value of any future financial distress cost is Sh.8 million. However, the probability of distress would increase with leverage according to the following schedule:

Value of debt Sh. "million"
Probability of financial distress (%)
Pre-tax cost of debt (%)
  2.5
0.00
4
  5.0
1.25
6
  7.5
2.50
10
10.0
6.25
15
12.5
12.50  
18
15.0
31.25  
20
20.0
75.00  
22

Corporation tax rate applicable is 30%. 

Required: 
(i) The current cost of equity and weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of the firm. 

(ii) Using the "pure" Modigliani and Miller (MM) with tax model, determine the optimal level of debt.

(iii) Evaluate the firm's optimal capital structure when financial distress costs are included.


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Question 1a
​​Citing four reasons, argue the case why firms undertake capital rationing decisions in your country.


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November 2020

1 Questions
Question 5b
​​Zeltex Ltd. is an unlevered firm. The firm expects to generate operating profit (EBIT) of Sh.20 million each year to perpetuity.

The firm's current market value is Sh.80 million and pays corporation tax at the rate of 30%. The management of the firm is considering the use of debt financing. The firm's financial analysts have estimated that the present value of any future financial distress costs is Sh.8 million and that the probability of financial distress would increase with leverage according to the following schedule

Value of debt(Sh.m)
Probability of financial distress
Pre-tax cost of debt (%)
2.5 
5.0 
7.5 
10   
12.5
15   
20  
0.00    
0.0125
0.025  
0.0625
0.125  
0.3125
0.75    
6    
7.5 
9    
10   
11.5
12.5
14   

Additional information:
1 The firm's ungeared asset beta is 0.60.

2. The risk free rate of return is 8%-

3. Expected return of the market portfolio is 15%.

4. The cost of equity of a levered firm shall be captured using capital asset pricing model (CAPM).

5. The Hamada model shall be applied to capture the levered equity Beta.

Required:
(i).  The current cost of equity and weighted average cost of capital (WACC)

(ii). The firm's optimal level of debtising the "pure" Modigliani and Miller with corporation tax model

(iii).The firm's optimal weighted average cost of capital (WACC) and hence its optimal capital structure proportions


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November 2019

3 Questions
Question 5c
​​Twiga Limited has 500,000 ordinary shares trading at Sh.150 each in the Securities Exchange. 

Additional information: 
1. The dividend payable in one year period is Sh.3 per share. 

2. An investment opportunity worth Sh.25 million is to be undertaken. The profit to be earned is Sh.15 million. 

3. The cost of capital for the company is 10%. 

Required: 
Using Modigliani and Miller approach, show that the payment of dividends does not affect the value of the firm.


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Question 4c
​Smoothdrive Ltd., a motor vehicle assembly company issued a 10 year, 16%, Sh.100 million par value bond five years ago. The bond was issued at 2% discount and issuing costs amounted to Sh.2 million. 

Due to the decline in Treasury bill rates in the recent past, interest rates in the money market have been falling presenting favourable opportunities for refinancing. A financial analyst engaged by the company to assess the possibility of refinancing the debt reports that a new Sh.100 million par value, 12%, 5-year bond could be issued by the company. Issuing costs for the new bond will be 5% of the par value and a discount of 3% will have to be given to attract investors. 

The old bond can be redeemed at 10% premium and in addition, two months interest penalty will have to be paid on redemption. All bond issue expenses (including the interest penalty) are amortised on a straight-line basis over the life of the bond and are allowable for corporate tax purposes. 

The applicable corporate tax rate is 40% and the after tax cost of debt to the company is approximately 7%. 

Required: 
(i) The initial investment required to issue the new bond. 

(ii) Annual cash flow savings (if any) expected from the bond refinancing decision.​

(iii) The net present value (NPV) of the refinancing decision. 

(iv) Advise the company on whether to refinance the bond based on your results in (c) (iii) above.


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Question 2b
​​The finance director of Babito Ltd. wishes to determine the company's optimal capital structure. The cost of debt varies according to the level of gearing of the company as follows:

Percentage debt (%)
Pre-tax cost of debt (%)
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
6.5
7.1
7.8
8.5
10
12
15

Additional information: 
1. The company's ungeared equity beta is 0.85. 

2 The risk-free interest rate is 6%. 

3. The market return is 14%. 

4. Corporate tax rate is 30%. 

Required: 
Advise the company on the optimal weighted average cost of capital (WACC).


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May 2019

4 Questions
Question 3b
​​Zomolo Limited is a firm operating in the manufacturing industry. The firm's current capital structure is given as follows:

Sh. "000"
Ordinary share capital (Sh.10 par value)
80,000
Reserves
20,000
10% irredeemable debenture capital (Sh.100 par value)
30,000
8% preference share capital (Sh.20 par value)
20,000
150,000

Additional information:
1
The current market price per share (MPS) of the firm's ordinary shares is Sh. 34.80 cum-dividend.
2
The firm adopts a 60% dividend payout ratio.
3
The most recent earnings per share (EPS) of the firm is Sh.8.00.
4
The historical dividend per share (DPS) over the last four years are given as follows:
Year
Dividend per share (DPS)
(Sh.)

2015
2016
2017
2018
4.00
4.20
4.50
4.80
5
The firm's management is contemplating to invest in a project which would cost Sh.40 million. The project is expected to generate Sh.9 million each year in perpetuity.
6
The project has an estimated beta of 1.50.
7
The return from a well diversified market portfolio is 18%.
8
The debentures are considered to be risk-free and are valued at par.
9
The existing 8% irredeemable preference shares are currently trading at Sh.25 each.
10
The corporation tax rate is 30%.

Required: 
(i) The firm's return on equity (ROE) using Gordon's growth approximation method. 

(ii) The firm's existing weighted average cost of capital (WACC). 

iii) The project's risk adjusted discounting rate (RADR).


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Question 1b
​ ​​Dźikunze Manufacturing Limited is considering to raise an extra Sh.10 million in order to finance an expansion programme. 

The company's current capital structure is given as follows:

Sh. "000"
Ordinary share capital (Sh.20 par value)
50,000
Reserves
20,000
14% debenture capital
20,000
10% preference share capital
10,000
100,000

Additional information:
1
The company is considering raising the funds using two alternative financing options namely:

Option 1:
To raise all the funds through the issue of new ordinary shares at par.

Option II:
To raise half ofthe funds through the issue of new ordinary shares at par and the balance through the issue of new 12% debentures at par. 
2
The corporation tax rate is 30%.

Required: 
(i) Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) at the point of indifference in company's earnings for each financing option. 

(ii) Earnings per share (EPS) at the point of indifference in (b) (i) above.


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Question 2c
​​Umoja Group of companies belongs to a risk class of which the appropriate capitalisation rate is 10%. 

The company currently has in issue 200,000 ordinary shares selling at Sh.50 each. The company is contemplating the declaration of dividend at the rate of Sh.3 per share at the end ofthe current financial year which has just begun. 

Required: 
Using Modigliani and Miller proposition on dividend irrelevance, determine: 
(i) The price of the ordinary shares at the end ofthe year, assuming a dividend is not declared. 

(ii) The price of the ordinary shares at the end of the year, assuming a dividend is declared. 

(iii) Assuming that the company generates a net income of Sh.2,000,000 and makes new investments of Sh.4,000,000 during the period. Show that under the Modigliani and Miller's assumption, payment or non-payment of dividends has no effect on the company's value.


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Question 4b
​​Ziani Limited, an unlevered firm has in issue 10 million ordinary shares that are currently selling at the securities exchange for Sh.20 each. 

Additional information: 
1. The firm's most recent earnings per share (EPS) is Sh.4.0 and adopts a 100% dividend payout. 

2. It is expected that the firm's future dividends in each year will remain constant in perpetuity. 

3. The firm is considering to issue 12% new debentures to raise Sh.50 million in order to finance an expansion programme. This will effectively change the status of the firm from unlevered to a levered firm. 

4. The firm pays corporation tax at the rate of 30%. 

Required: 
Using Modigliani and Miller's propositions, determine: 
(i) The cost of equity before and after issue of the long-term debt. 

(ii) The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) before and after issue of the debt. 

(iii) The current market value of the firm before and after issue of the debt. 

(iv) Advise the management of Ziani Limited on whether to change its capital structure.


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November 2018

1 Questions
Question 5c
​​Embakasi Investment Ltd. contemplates to determine its optimal capital structure which currently consists of only debt and common equity. 

The company does not use preference shares in its capital structure and does not plan to do so in the near future. 

In order to estimate how much its debt would cost at different debt levels, the company's financial controller has consulted with investment banks and the following information was obtained:

Debt to equity ratio
Bond rating
Before tax cost of debt (%)
0.00
0.25
0.60
1.70
2.50
A
BBB    
BB  
C
D
  0
8.5
10
14
16

Additional information: 
1. The company uses the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) to estimate the cost of capital. 

2. The risk-free rate of return is 5%. 

3. The market risk premium is 8%. 

4. The corporate tax rate is 30%. 

5. The company uses the Hamada model to determine its levered equity Beta. 

6. The asset Beta (unlevered equity Beta) is 1.20. 

Required: 
(i) The optimal capital structure of Embakasi Investment Ltd. 

(ii) The optimal weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of Embakasi Investment Ltd.


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May 2018

1 Questions
Question 4b
​​Lagdara Ltd., an unlevered firm, operates in the textile industry. The firm's current capital structure is summarised as follows:

Sh. "000"
Ordinary share capital (Sh.50 par value)
120,000
Share premium
40,000
Retained earnings
80,000
Shareholders' funds
240,000

The firm is considering borrowing 10% debt finance of Sh.40 million in order to finance an expansion programme, making it a levered firm.

Additional information: 
1. Annual earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) generated by the firm are Sh.60 million. This is expected to remain constant each year in perpetuity. 

2. The firm's ordinary shares are currently trading at a market price per share (MPS) of Sh.200 at the securities exchange. 

3. The corporate tax rate applicable is 30%. 

Required: 
(i) Using the Modigliani-Miller (M-M) approach and the information provided above, analyse the financial implications of the change in capital structure of Lagdara Ltd. 

(ii) Justifying your answer, advise the management of Lagdara Ltd. on whether to change its capital structure.


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November 2017

3 Questions
Question 1a
​​Discuss how corporate governance might impact the dividend policy of a firm.


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Question 4a
​ ​​Two CPA graduates have formed a company to write, market and distribute text books and revision manuals. The company's text books and revision manuals have already been piloted and the market prospects are good. All that is lacking is adequate financing to continue the project. A small group of private investors is interested in financing the new company. Two financing proposals are being evaluated.

1
Financing option one:

This is an all equity capital structure. Three million shillings would be raised by selling ordinary shares at Sh.40 per share.
2
 Financing option two:

This will involve the use of financial leverage.

One million shillings would be raised by selling corporate bonds with an effective interest rate of 14 per cent per annum. The remaining Sh. 2 million would be raised by selling ordinary shares at Sh.40 per share. The use of financial leverage is considered to be a permanent part of the firm's capital so no fixed maturity date is needed for the analysis.
3
The corporation tax rate appropriate for this analysis is 30%.

Required: 
(i) Find the operating profit (EBIT) indifference level associated with the two financing plans.

(ii) Construct an EPS-EBIT graph for the two financing plans. 

(iii) Determine the range of operating profit (EBIT) within which each financing plan above would be recommended. 


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Question 4b
​ ​​The following data relate to two companies; Alpha Ltd. and Beta Ltd. which belong to the same risk class.

Alpha Ltd.
BetaLtd.
Number of ordinary shares outstanding
90,000,000
150,000,000
Market price per share
Sh.18
Sh.10
6% debentures (market value)
Sh.60,000,000
-
Profit before interest and tax
Sh.18,000,000
Sh.18,000,000

All profits after debenture interest are distributed as dividends.

Required:
(i) Using suitable calculations, demonstrate how under the Modigliani and Miller approach (without taxes), an investor holding 10 per cent of Alpha Ltd's shares will be better off in switching his holding to Beta Ltd. 

(ii) Explain when, according to Modigliani and Miller (without taxes), the process described in (b) (i) above would come to an end. 


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November 2016

3 Questions
Question 3c
​​Assuming that the company in (b) above now pays taxes at the rate of 30%, compute the following in a Modigliani and Miller (MM) world: 

(i) The current value of the firm if it uses no debt. 

(ii) The current value of the firm if it uses the debt level of 7%. Sh.10 million. 

(iii) The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) at 7% debt level of Sh.10 million.


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Question 3b
​​Majuu Ltd. is just about to commence operations as an international trading company. The firm will have a book vałue of assets of Sh.320 million and it expects to earn 16% return on these assets before interest and taxes. However. because of certain tax arrangements with foreign governments, the company will not pay any taxes. 

It is known that the capitalisation rate for an all equity firm in this business is 12%. The company can borrow debt finance at the rate of 7% per annum. The management is in the process of deciding how to raise the required Sh.10 million debt finance. Assume that the Modigliani and Miller (MM) assumptions apply. 

Required: 
Using the MM model without taxes, determine: 
(i) The current value of the unlevered firm. 

(ii) The current value of a levered firm if it uses Sh. 10 million of 7% debt. 

(iii) The weighted average cost of capital (WACC) of a levered firm at a debt level of 7%, Sh.10 million.


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Question 3a
​​ Explain three assumptions of the traditional theories of capital structure.


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November 2015

3 Questions
Question 3a
​​Comment on the assertion that capital structure is strongly influenced by managerial behaviour.


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Question 3c
​​Comment on the accuracy of the estimates produced in (b) (i) and (ii) above.


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Question 3b
​ ​ ​ ​​The finance director of Nyuki Ltd. wishes to estimate what impact the introduction of debt finance is likely to have on the company's overall cost of capital. The company is currently financed by equity only. 

Nyuki Ltd.- Summarised capital structure
Sh."000"
Ordinary shares (Sh.2.5 par value)
5,000
Reserves
11,000
16,000

The company's current share price is Sh.4.20 and up to Sh.4 million of fixed rate five-year debt could be raised at an interest rate of 10% per year. The corporate tax rate is 30%. 

Nyuki Ltd.'s current earnings before interest and tax are Sh.2.5 million. These earnings are not expected to change significantly for the foreseeable future. 

The company is considering raising either Sh.2 million in debt finance or Sh.4 million in debt finance. In either case, the debt finance will be used to repurchase ordinary shares. 

Required: 
Using Modigliani and Miller's model in a world with corporate tax, estimate the impact on Nyuki Ltd.'s weighte average cost of capital of raising: 

(i) Sh.2 million in debt finance. 

(ii) Sh.4 million in debt finance.


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Question 2a
​ ​ ​​ABC Ltd., a small manufacturing firm, wishes to acquire a new machine that costs Sh.30,000.

Arrangements can be made to lease or purchase the machine. The firm is in the 40% tax bracket. The firm has gathered the following information about the two alternatives:

Purchase: ABC Ltd. can finance the purchase of the machine with a 10%, 6 year loan requiring annual end of year installments. The machine would be depreciated using the reducing balance method. It would have a salvage value of Sh.6,000 after 5 years. The company would pay Sh.1,200 per year for a service contract that covers all maintenance
costs. The firm plans to keep the machine and use it beyond its 5 year recovery period.

Lease: ABC Ltd. would obtain a 5 year lease requiring annual end-of-year-lease payments of Sh.10,000.

The lessor would pay all maintenance costs. Insurance and other costs will be borne by the lessee.

ABC Ltd. would be given the right to exercise its option to purchase the machine for Sh.3,000 at the end of the lease term.

Required:
Advise ABC Ltd. on which alternative to take using suitable computations.


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