On January 1, 2009, Carlin Corporation issued $2,400,000 of 5-year, 8% bonds at 95; the bonds pay interest semiannually on July 1 and January 1.

By January 1, 2011, the market rate of interest for bonds of risk similar to those of Carlin Corporation had risen. As a result the market value of these bonds was $2,000,000 on January 1, 2011-below their carrying value.

Andrea Carlin, president of the company, suggests repurchasing all of these bonds in the open market at the $2,000,000 price. To do so the company will have to issue $2,000,000 (face value) of new 10-year, 11% bonds at par. The president asks you, as controller, "What is the feasibility of my proposed repurchase plan?"

Prepare a memo (at least 3 paragraphs) to the president in response to her request for advice. The memo should include;

• A discussion of the economic factors that you believe should be considered for her repurchase proposal. Comment on the relative increase/decrease in interest expense for Carlin Corporation if a new bond issue is made.

• What is the carrying value of the outstanding Carlin Corporation 5-year bonds on January 1, 2011? (Assume straight-line amortization.)