Effect of Cash on WACC

Could someone explain how cash balance affects the WACC?

How would the WACC of a company compare if it has no cash versus if it had a cash balance of $1bn?

My guess is that cash is a part of equity and having a large cash balance would increase the proportion of equity in the capital structure, resulting in a higher WACC, but I am really not sure if I am right.

Would be great if someone could clear it up.

Thanks in advance!

11 Comments
 
peinvestor2012 jrt336:

I could see that being the case. I could also see it lowering the debt weight, if the debt used is net debt. Also interested in the correct answer.

When do you use Net Debt for WACC? I've never seen it done.

And you use MV of equity, not BV of equity when looking at capitalization.

I was just saying if it was correct to use net debt. I'm not in banking-was just a thought.
 
Best Response
jrt336 peinvestor2012:

jrt336:
I could see that being the case. I could also see it lowering the debt weight, if the debt used is net debt. Also interested in the correct answer.

When do you use Net Debt for WACC? I've never seen it done.
And you use MV of equity, not BV of equity when looking at capitalization.

I was just saying if it was correct to use net debt. I'm not in banking-was just a thought.

So if you didn't know the answer, why chime in and misguide the OP even more?

 

unless the cash came from the sale of debt and equity in the same ratio the capital structure was at... but from strictly a cash stand point you cant really say more or less cash is going to affect the WACC.

“Be first, be smarter, or cheat!”
 

Ea necessitatibus aspernatur sed exercitationem voluptatem ea. Tempora voluptatibus hic sit laboriosam et quod. Unde ratione magnam ducimus voluptatem veritatis. Enim laboriosam necessitatibus et omnis suscipit est. Ut dicta laudantium animi eligendi sunt. Quas et nesciunt dolorem quaerat voluptatem dolores explicabo. Corporis autem saepe repellat eveniet quae voluptatibus nobis. Voluptatem quo unde officia at quidem dolor.

Quos similique non facilis voluptatem autem et. Ut quasi sint dolorum aliquid mollitia autem. Ea qui qui autem nesciunt laborum exercitationem qui.

If you have to ask how much it costs, you cannot afford it

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Guggenheim Partners 02 97.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 99.0%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 99.0%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
4
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
8
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”