I wondered whether someone can help me with the following.
A share in MS Co has an equity beta of 1.3. MS Co’s debt beta is 0.1. It has a gearing ratio of 20% (Debt:Equity). The market premium is 8% and the risk-free rate is 3%. MS Co pays 30% corp tax. What is the cost of equity for MS Co?
My answer: Ke = Rf + B (E (rm) – Rf) = 3 + 1.3*(8% – 3%) = 9.5%
BPP’s answer Ke = Rf + B (E (rm) – Rf) = 3 + (1.3*8%) = 13.4%
Do you know why: 1) The brackets have been moved from 3+1.3( to 3+(1.3* … The formula says that the Beta should be added to the risk-free rate, however in this answer the Beta is being multiplied by the market return rate instead
2) The risk free rate isn’t being subtracted as per the formula?