Sensitivity Analysis - WACC

In a WACC sensitivity analysis in my textbook the drivers sensitized for are 'debt-to-total capitalization' and 'pre-tax cost of debt'.

What is the reason for using pre-tax cost of debt rather than just cost of debt? Further, is that just one of several possibilities to sensitize WACC, or are these the drivers commonly used?

 

Interest is a tax-deductible expense, so a company taking on debt (be it a bond or a debenture) creates a tax shield. Tax shields allow companies to reduce income taxes due as allowable deductions (as per the taxation act). This obviously affects cash flows and subsequently, overall value of the entity in question.

Hence the after-tax cost of debt = pre-tax cost of debt * (1 - taxation rate) is used to capture this interest tax shield.

 

Changing pretax cost of debt should have a linear impact on post-tax cost of debt, so same difference...

When you price debt for corporates, it's on a pretax basis. Every company has slightly different tax situation, but the coupon is what it is. Think they're just showing it this way here so you can eyeball the pretax cost of debt and have some frame of reference (... yeeshhhh 9% really hurts valuation)

 
Most Helpful

Quasi aliquid itaque est. Molestiae exercitationem accusantium at nostrum corrupti at. Ut perspiciatis est in modi voluptate voluptatem. Non rerum qui sit quibusdam beatae nemo occaecati. Consequatur est adipisci nostrum suscipit expedita laboriosam nulla.

Non atque atque eum vel aliquam. Sequi qui et cum dicta quaerat aperiam veniam. Voluptatem beatae rerum temporibus natus odit inventore. Harum eius ratione distinctio facere. Ullam consequatur laboriosam aspernatur quae sed ut magni.

Id placeat repellat qui. Voluptas velit quidem alias facilis qui porro quia repellat.

Career Advancement Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Jefferies & Company 02 99.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 19 98.8%
  • Harris Williams & Co. New 98.3%
  • Lazard Freres 02 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 03 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Harris Williams & Co. 18 99.4%
  • JPMorgan Chase 10 98.8%
  • Lazard Freres 05 98.3%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.7%
  • William Blair 03 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Lazard Freres 01 99.4%
  • Jefferies & Company 02 98.8%
  • Goldman Sachs 17 98.3%
  • Moelis & Company 07 97.7%
  • JPMorgan Chase 05 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

April 2024 Investment Banking

  • Director/MD (5) $648
  • Vice President (19) $385
  • Associates (87) $260
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (14) $181
  • Intern/Summer Associate (33) $170
  • 2nd Year Analyst (66) $168
  • 1st Year Analyst (205) $159
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (146) $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

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...”