Problem:

Medical Associates is a large for-profit group practice. Its dividends are expected to grow at a constant rate of 7 percent per year into the forseeable future. The firm's last dividene (DO) was $2, and its current stock price is $23. The firm's beta coefficient is 1.6; the rate of return on 20-year T-bonds is 9 percent; and the expected rate of return on the market, as reported by a large financial services firm is 13 percent. The firm's target capital structure calls for 50 percent debt financing, the interest rate required on the business' new debt is 10 percent, and its tax rate is 40 percent.

Required:

Question 1: What is Medical Associate's cost of equity estimate according to the DCF method?

Question 2: What is the cost of equity estimate according to the CAPM?

Question 3: On the basis of your answers to parts a and b, what would be your final estimate for the firm's cost of equity?

Question 4: What is your estimate for the firm's corporate cost of capital?

Note: Explain all calculation and formulas.