Based on the following scenario, complete the calculations below:
Scott Equipment Organization is investigating the use of various combinations of short-term and long-term debt in financing its assets. Assume that the organization has decided to employ $30 million in current assets, along with $35 million in fixed assets, in its operations next year. Given the level of current assets, anticipated sales and Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT) for next year are $60 million and $6 million, respectively. The organization’s income tax rate is 40%; Stockholders’ equity will be used to finance $40 million of its assets, with the remainder being financed by short-term and long-term debt. Scott’s is considering implementing one of the following financing policies:
Amount of Short-Term Debt
Financial Policy In mil. LTD (%) STD (%)
Aggressive
(large amount of short-term debt) $24 8.5 5.5
Moderate
(moderate amount of short-term debt) $18 8.0 5.0
Conservative
(small amount of short-term debt) $12 7.5 4.5 a. Determine the following for each of the financing policies:
1) Expected rate of return on stockholders’ equity
2) Net working capital position
3) Current ratio
b. Evaluate the profitability versus risk trade-offs of these three policies. Would you rate each one “low”, “medium”, or “high” with respect to profitability? Would you rate each one “low”, “medium”, or “high” with respect to risk?
The details are $ million
Current Assets 30
Fixed Assets 35
Total Assets 65
Equity Financing 40
Debt Financing 25 Aggressive Moderate Conservative
Short term Debt 24 18 12
Long term Debt (total debt is $25) 1 7 13
Interest Rate Short term 5.5% 5.0% 4.50%
Interest Rate Long term 8.5% 8.0% 7.50%
Sales 60 60 60
EBIT 6 6 6
Interest (Short term debt X interest rate + long term debt X