CIMA F3 Exam With Confidence Using Practice Dumps

Given current structure: D:E = 25:75, tax = 25%, asset beta ≈ 1.01.

Re-gear beta for new structure D:E = 35:65

βe′=βa[1+(1−T)DE]=1.01[1+0.75×3565]≈1.01×1.404≈1.42\beta_e' = \beta_a \big[1 + (1 - T)\frac{D}{E}\big] = 1.01 \big[1 + 0.75 \times \frac{35}{65}\big] \approx 1.01 \times 1.404 \approx 1.42βe′​=βa​[1+(1−T)ED​]=1.01[1+0.75×6535​]≈1.01×1.404≈1.42

Use CAPM with rf=4%r_f = 4\%rf​=4%, rm=12%r_m = 12\%rm​=12%:

ke′=rf+βe′(rm−rf)=4%+1.42×8%≈4%+11.4%≈15.4%k_e' = r_f + \beta_e'(r_m - r_f) = 4\% + 1.42 \times 8\% \approx 4\% + 11.4\% \approx 15.4\%ke′​=rf​+βe′​(rm​−rf​)=4%+1.42×8%≈4%+11.4%≈15.4%

Closest option: 15.36% → B.

A – Access to technical expertise: Q’s staff are leading experts and human capital is very valuable; acquiring this is a clear benefit.

D – Gain economies of scale: Both firms operate in the same technical service industry, so combining operations can reduce average costs and share overheads.

E – Improve EPS: Q has shown consistent earnings growth; if acquired at a reasonable price, this growth can enhance M’s earnings and potentially its EPS.

Diversification benefits (B) are limited because they are in the same industry, and intangible assets such as human capital are not strong collateral for borrowing (C).

Increase initially then decrease

This question tests understanding of the traditional theory of capital structure, a core topic within CIMA F3 under Cost of Capital and Capital Structure. The traditional view differs from Modigliani and Miller by arguing that there is an optimal capital structure where a company’s Weighted Average Cost of Capital (WACC) is minimised.

According to traditional theory, at low levels of gearing, introducing debt into the capital structure reduces WACC. This occurs because debt is generally cheaper than equity, largely due to lower risk for lenders and the tax deductibility of interest payments. Initially, equity holders do not perceive a significant increase in financial risk, so the cost of equity remains relatively stable. As a result, replacing some equity with cheaper debt lowers the overall WACC.

However, as gearing continues to rise beyond a certain point, the financial risk borne by both debt holders and equity holders increases substantially. Lenders demand higher interest rates to compensate for increased default risk, and shareholders require a higher return due to greater earnings volatility. This leads to rising costs of both debt and equity. Beyond the optimal gearing level, these rising costs outweigh the benefits of cheaper debt, causing WACC to increase.

CIMA F3 study guidance therefore concludes that under traditional theory, WACC:

Falls initially as gearing increases, and

Rises after the optimal capital structure is exceeded.

Since the directors are increasing gearing toward an industry average, the most appropriate description of WACC behaviour under traditional theory is that it will decrease initially and then increase.