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The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right: Reply to M. Pierru

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  • Miller, Richard A.

Abstract

In this journal [Miller, R. A. (2009). The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 49, 128-138], I argued that the standard WACC formula is inadequate in most circumstances to reward stockholders and bondholders where the necessary cash flows are calculated separately to exactly cover the respective costs of capital. Axel Pierru [2009. 'The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right': A comment. The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, 49, 1219-1223] observes correctly that my assumed repayment schedules (equal periodic payments to bondholders; similarly for stockholders) imply a temporal drift in the debt (or leverage) ratio; he would recalculate the WACC annually. He proposes an alternative calculation of the repayment schedules under the constraint of a constant debt ratio. Here I suggest three additional possible repayment schedules; in general repayment schedules determine the drift in the debt ratio. However, the expected repayment schedules are established at the time the project is accepted and financed, hence the relevant debt ratio is that which exists at that time. The WACC for a specific project need not (and should not) be recalculated for that project throughout its financial life when that project has already been accepted and financed.

Suggested Citation

  • Miller, Richard A., 2009. "The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right: Reply to M. Pierru," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 1213-1218, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:quaeco:v:49:y:2009:i:3:p:1213-1218
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Tor Brunzell & Eva Liljeblom & Mika Vaihekoski, 2013. "Determinants of capital budgeting methods and hurdle rates in Nordic firms," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 53(1), pages 85-110, March.
    2. Demetri Tsanacas, 2022. "Valuation Challenges in High Tech Platform Based Corporations," International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), International Journal of Economics & Business Administration (IJEBA), vol. 0(1), pages 89-100.
    3. Zbysław Dobrowolski & Grzegorz Drozdowski & Mirela Panait & Simona Andreea Apostu, 2022. "The Weighted Average Cost of Capital and Its Universality in Crisis Times: Evidence from the Energy Sector," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.
    4. Fabrizio Cacciafesta, 2015. "Using the WACC to rate a new project," CEIS Research Paper 339, Tor Vergata University, CEIS, revised 10 Apr 2015.
    5. Justyna Franc-Dąbrowska & Magdalena Mądra-Sawicka & Anna Milewska, 2021. "Energy Sector Risk and Cost of Capital Assessment—Companies and Investors Perspective," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-20, March.
    6. Keef, Stephen P. & Khaled, Mohammed S. & Roush, Melvin L., 2012. "A note resolving the debate on “The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right”," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 52(4), pages 438-442.
    7. Keef, Stephen P & Khaled, Mohammed S & Roush, Melvin L, 2011. "A note resolving the debate on “The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right”," Working Paper Series 18609, Victoria University of Wellington, School of Economics and Finance.
    8. Bade, Benjamin, 2009. "Comment on "The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right"," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(4), pages 1476-1480, November.
    9. Sumiyana Sumiyana & Ainun Na’im & Firdaus Kurniawan & Albertus H. L. Nugroho, 2023. "Earnings management and financial distress or soundness determining CEOs’ future over- and under-investment decisions," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-10, December.
    10. Pierru, Axel, 2009. ""The weighted average cost of capital is not quite right": A comment," The Quarterly Review of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 1219-1223, August.
    11. Keef, Stephen P & Khaled, Mohammed S & Roush, Melvin L, 2011. "Miller's (2009) WACC model: An extension," Working Paper Series 18608, Victoria University of Wellington, School of Economics and Finance.

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