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Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes a firm's overall cost of capital in relation to its investments in securities?
A
It includes both the cost of debt and the cost of equity capital.
B
It only includes the cost of equity capital.
C
It only includes the cost of debt.
D
It excludes both the cost of debt and the cost of equity capital.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of 'cost of capital': The cost of capital represents the firm's required return on its investments, which is used to evaluate the profitability of potential projects. It includes both the cost of debt and the cost of equity capital.
Break down the components: The cost of debt is the effective rate a company pays on its borrowed funds, while the cost of equity is the return required by shareholders for investing in the company.
Recognize the importance of both components: A firm's overall cost of capital is a weighted average of the cost of debt and the cost of equity, known as the Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC). This reflects the firm's financing structure.
Eliminate incorrect options: The cost of capital cannot only include the cost of equity or only the cost of debt, as both are integral to the firm's financing. It also cannot exclude both components, as they are essential to calculating the firm's overall cost of capital.
Conclude that the correct description is: 'It includes both the cost of debt and the cost of equity capital,' as this aligns with the definition of a firm's overall cost of capital.