Reference no: EM132021079

Alcon Inc’s product line has expanded from pharmaceuticals to the surgical arena. Today, Alcon has operations in 75 countries and their products are sold in over 180 countries. Alcon Inc. received a very large order from a few African countries. In order to be able to supply these countries with its products, Alcon will have to expand its facilities. Of the required expansion, Alcon feels it can raise $80 million internally, through retained earnings. The firm's optimum capital structure has been 40% debt, 10% preferred stock and 50% equity. The company will try to maintain this capital structure in financing this expansion plan. Currently Alcon's common stock is traded at a price of $30 per share. Last year's dividend was $2.00 per share. The growth rate is 10%. The company's preferred stock is selling at $60 and has been yielding 5% in the current market. Flotation costs have been estimated at 4% of common stock and 2% of preferred stock. Alcon Inc. has bonds outstanding with coupon (annual) at 8%, but its investment banker has informed the company that interest rates for bonds of equal risk (required rate of return) are currently yielding 6%. Alcon’s tax rate is 30%. Round the answers to two decimal places. PLEASE SHOW YOUR WORK

After-tax cost of debt (Kd,) = 4.2%

Cost of preferred stock (Kp,) = 5.1%

Cost of retained earnings (Ke, ) = 17.33%

Cost of equity assuming the company issues new common stock (Kn.) = 17.64%

a) Calculate the initial weighted average cost of capital using Ke.

b) How large a capital budget can the firm support with retained earnings financing?