Consider Two Firms,U and L,both with $50,000 in Assets

Essay

Consider two firms,U and L,both with $50,000 in assets. Firm U is unlevered,and firm L has $20,000 of debt that pays 8% interest. Firm U has 1,000 shares outstanding,while firm L has 600 shares outstanding. Mike owns 20% of firm L and believes that leverage works in his favor. Steve tells Mike that this is an illusion,and that with the possibility of borrowing on his own account at 8% interest,he can replicate Mike's payout from firm L.
Suppose the tax authorities allow firms to deduct their interest expense from operating income. Both firm U and firm L are in the 34% tax bracket. Show what happens to the market value of both firms if the debt held by firm L is permanent. Assume MM with taxes.