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A general formula for the WACC

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  • André Farber
  • Roland Gillet
  • Ariane Szafarz

Abstract

Recent controversies testify that the tax shield valuation remains a hot topic in the financial literature. Basically, two methods have been proposed to incorporate the tax benefit of debt in the present value computation: The adjusted present value(APV), and the classical weighted average cost of capital (WACC). This note clarifies the relationship between these two apparently different approaches by offering a general formula for the WACC. This formula encompasses earlier results obtained by Modigliani and Miller (1963) and Harris and Pringle (1985).

Suggested Citation

  • André Farber & Roland Gillet & Ariane Szafarz, 2005. "A general formula for the WACC," Working Papers CEB 05-012.RS, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    • Handle: RePEc:sol:wpaper:05-012
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Roland Gillet & Jacques Chrissos, 2003. "Décision d'investissement," Post-Print hal-03934673, HAL.
    2. Leland, Hayne E, 1994. "Corporate Debt Value, Bond Covenants, and Optimal Capital Structure," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 49(4), pages 1213-1252, September.
    3. Jacques Chrissos & Roland Gillet, 2008. "Décision d'investissement," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/14363, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Fernandez, Pablo, 2004. "Reply to "The value of tax shields is equal to the present value of tax shields"," IESE Research Papers D/576, IESE Business School.
    5. Robert S. Harris & John J. Pringle, 1985. "Risk-Adjusted Discount Rates-Extensions From The Average-Risk Case," Journal of Financial Research, Southern Finance Association;Southwestern Finance Association, vol. 8(3), pages 237-244, September.
    6. Fernandez, Pablo, 2004. "The value of tax shields is NOT equal to the present value of tax shields," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 73(1), pages 145-165, July.
    7. Miles, James A. & Ezzell, John R., 1980. "The Weighted Average Cost of Capital, Perfect Capital Markets, and Project Life: A Clarification," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 15(3), pages 719-730, September.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Peter Brusov & Tatiana Filatova & Natali Orekhova, 2023. "Capital Structure Theory: Past, Present, Future," Springer Books, in: The Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova Theory of Capital Structure, chapter 0, pages 9-50, Springer.
    2. Codosero Rodas, José Maria & Castanho, Rui Alexandre & Cabezas Fernández, José & Naranjo Gómez, José Manuel, 2020. "Sustainable valuation of land for development. Adding value with urban planning progress. A Spanish case study," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    3. André Farber & Roland Gillet & Ariane Szafarz, 2007. "A general formula for the WACC: a reply," ULB Institutional Repository 2013/6061, ULB -- Universite Libre de Bruxelles.
    4. Peter Brusov & Tatiana Filatova, 2021. "The Modigliani–Miller Theory with Arbitrary Frequency of Payment of Tax on Profit," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-25, May.
    5. Shigufta Hena Uzma & J.P. Singh & Naveen Kumar, 2010. "Discounted Cash Flow and Its Implication on Intangible Valuation," Global Business Review, International Management Institute, vol. 11(3), pages 365-377, October.
    6. Peter Brusov & Tatiana Filatova & Natali Orekhova, 2023. "The Generalization of the Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova Theory for the Case of Payments of Tax on Profit with Arbitrary Frequency," Springer Books, in: The Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova Theory of Capital Structure, chapter 0, pages 217-239, Springer.
    7. Peter Brusov & Tatiana Filatova & Natali Orekhova, 2023. "Generalization of the Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova Theory for the Case of Variable Income," Springer Books, in: The Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova Theory of Capital Structure, chapter 0, pages 265-290, Springer.
    8. 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.
    9. Fernandez, Pablo, 2007. "A more realistic valuation: APV and WACC with constant book leverage ratio," IESE Research Papers D/715, IESE Business School.
    10. Fabrizio Cacciafesta, 2015. "Using the WACC to rate a new project," CEIS Research Paper 339, Tor Vergata University, CEIS, revised 10 Apr 2015.
    11. 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.
    12. José Maria Codosero Rodas & José Manuel Naranjo Gómez & Rui Alexandre Castanho & José Cabezas, 2018. "Land Valuation Sustainable Model of Urban Planning Development: A Case Study in Badajoz, Spain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(5), pages 1-18, May.
    13. Carlo Mari & Marcella Marra, 2017. "Deterministic discounting of risky cash-flows," Journal of Finance and Investment Analysis, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 6(3), pages 1-2.
    14. Umberto Mecca & Paolo Piantanida & Francesco Prizzon & Manuela Rebaudengo, 2019. "Impact of Brownfield Sites on Local Energy Production as Resilient Response to Land Contamination: A Case Study in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-16, April.
    15. Peter Brusov & Tatiana Filatova & Natali Orekhova & Veniamin Kulik & She-I Chang & George Lin, 2021. "Generalization of the Modigliani–Miller Theory for the Case of Variable Profit," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 9(11), pages 1-24, June.
    16. Philip Ndikum, 2020. "Machine Learning Algorithms for Financial Asset Price Forecasting," Papers 2004.01504, arXiv.org.
    17. Matthias C. Grüninger & Axel H. Kind, 2013. "WACC Calculations in Practice: Incorrect Results due to Inconsistent Assumptions - Status Quo and Improvements," Accounting and Finance Research, Sciedu Press, vol. 2(2), pages 1-36, May.
    18. Peter Brusov & Tatiana Filatova & Natali Orekhova, 2023. "Influence of Method and Frequency of Profit Tax Payments on Company Financial Indicators," Springer Books, in: The Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova Theory of Capital Structure, chapter 0, pages 241-264, Springer.
    19. Flavio Andreoli Bonazzi & Sirio R.S. Cividino & Ilaria Zambon & Enrico Maria Mosconi & Stefano Poponi, 2018. "Building Energy Opportunity with a Supply Chain Based on the Local Fuel-Producing Capacity," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(7), pages 1-15, June.
    20. Peter Brusov & Tatiana Filatova & Natali Orekhova, 2023. "Benefits of Advance Payments of Tax on Profit: Consideration Within Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova (BFO) Theory," Springer Books, in: The Brusov–Filatova–Orekhova Theory of Capital Structure, chapter 0, pages 205-216, Springer.
    21. Fernandez, Pablo, 2006. "A general formula for the WACC: A correction," IESE Research Papers D/663, IESE Business School.
    22. Christian Koziol, 2014. "A simple correction of the WACC discount rate for default risk and bankruptcy costs," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 42(4), pages 653-666, May.
    23. Tomáš Buus, 2014. "Cost of Financial Distress in the Cash Flow Model of Capital Structure [Náklady finanční tísně v cash flow modelech kapitálové struktury]," Český finanční a účetní časopis, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2014(3), pages 46-58.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    WACC; APV; tax shield;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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