What causes WACC to invert?

Hi together, I'm currently working on a valuation and cannot figure out my mistake (if it is one). I calculate WACC by using the basic formula:

WACC = (E/V) * Cost of Equity + (1-(E/V)) * (1-t) * Cost of Debt

Since the company is private I calculate the Cost of Equity using the CAPM and a relevered beta. The formula therefore becomes:

WACC = (E/V) * (rf + BETAu * (1 + (1-(E/V))/(E/V)) * (1-t)) * MRP) + (1-(E/V)) * (1-t) * Cost of Debt

I noticed with my specific inputs (infrastructure company = very low unlevered beta, low risk free rate, low cost of debt) WACC declines when I increase (E/V) which seemed counterintuitive. I just differentiated the above formula (by hand so there might be a mistake) with respect to (E/V) and got the following result:

dWACC/d(E/V) = rf + t * BETAu * MRP - (1-t) * Cost of Debt

Looking solely on the deviated formula I can see that if the last part of the equation (= (1-t) * Cost of Debt) becomes greater than the first part (= rf + t * BETAu * MRP) WACC should decrease for an increase in (E/V). Mathematically understood (correct me if my maths has errors) but how can expain the result economically?

I most likely expect that indeed the math is wrong. The effect can happen when the asset yields an (unlevered) return that is lower than the cost of debt (which also seems counterintuitive in this case)

I would be grateful for any help!

2 Comments
 

Unless I missed it, you've provided no context for your cost of debt. You say it is "low" but it seems that it isn't actually that low relative to the cost of equity. Since your company appears to have a cost of debt, we can assume it actually has borrowings. Are the interest rates in your CAPM actually what the company pays in interest? Other potential culprit is your "very low" beta. Where did you get that? Can you defend it?

 

Nemo cupiditate sit qui porro vel excepturi optio sunt. Explicabo placeat similique in nemo quod sit fugit. Quis rem in explicabo. Officiis est animi recusandae commodi eligendi. Omnis aspernatur ut eos cumque veniam quidem. Aspernatur rerum esse necessitatibus ut.

Dicta non animi sit voluptatum. Quidem voluptas tempora ipsam odio culpa quae consectetur illo. Nobis quisquam sed similique. Unde ut ea quaerat enim voluptate. Exercitationem necessitatibus eum rerum corrupti consectetur. Labore earum reprehenderit deserunt officia porro voluptas aut omnis.

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...”