Hardmon Enterprises is currently an all-equity firm with an expected return of 12%. It is considering a leveraged recapitalization in which it would borrow and repurchase existing shares.

a. Suppose instead Hardmon borrows to the point that its debt-equity ratio is 0.50. With this amount of debt, the debt cost capital is 6%. What will the expected return of equity be after this transaction?

b. Suppose instead Hardmon borrows to the point that its debt-equity ratio is 1.50. With this amount of debt, Hardmon's debt will be much risker. As a result, the debt cost capital will be 8%. What will the expected return of equity be in this case?