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Constant Leverage And Constant Cost Of Capital: A Common Knowledge Half-Truth

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  • IGNACIO VÉLEZ-PAREJA
  • RAUF IBRAGIMOV
  • JOSEPH THAM

Abstract

A typical approach for valuing finite cash flows is to assume that leverage is constant (usually as target leverage) and the cost of equity, Ke and the Weighted Average Cost of Capital, WACC are also assumed to be constant. For cash flows in perpetuity, and with the cost of debt, Kd as the discount rate for the tax shield, it is indeed the case that the Ke and WACC applied to the FCF are constant if the leverage is constant. However this does not hold true for finite cash flows. In this document we show that for finite cash flows, Ke and hence WACC depend on the discount rate that is used to value the tax shield, TS and as expected, Ke and WACC are not constant with Kd as the discount rate for the tax shield, even if the leverage is constant. We illustrate this situation with a simple example. We analyze five methods: DCF using APV, FCF and traditional and general formulation for WACC, present value of CFE plus debt and Capital Cash Flow, CCF.

Suggested Citation

  • Ignacio Vélez-Pareja & Rauf Ibragimov & Joseph Tham, 2008. "Constant Leverage And Constant Cost Of Capital: A Common Knowledge Half-Truth," Estudios Gerenciales, Universidad Icesi, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:col:000129:005012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ignacio Vélez-Pareja, 2009. "Which Cost Of Debt Should Be Used In Forecasting Cash Flows?," Estudios Gerenciales, Universidad Icesi, June.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    WACC; constant cost of capital; constant leverage; cash flows;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D61 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Allocative Efficiency; Cost-Benefit Analysis
    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • H43 - Public Economics - - Publicly Provided Goods - - - Project Evaluation; Social Discount Rate

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