Examine the difference between Explicit Cost and Implicit Cost

Cost of capital can be either implicit cost or explicit. Explicit cost of any source of capital is the discount rate which equates the present value of cash inflows that are incremental to taking of the financing opportunity with present value of its incremental cash outlay. Hence the explicit cost of capital is the internal rate of return of cash flows of financing opportunity.

A series of each flows are associated with a method of financing. At the instance of acquisition of capital, cash inflow takes place followed by the subsequent cash outflows in the form, of interest payment, payment of dividends orrepayment of principal money. Hence, if a company issues 10 per cent perpetual debentures worth USD 10,00,000, there would be cash inflow to firm of the order of 10,00,00. This will be followed by annual cash outflow of USD. 1,00,000. The rate of discount which equates the present value of cash inflows with present value of cash outflows, would be explicit cost of capital.