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.
-After seeing Steve's analysis, Mike tells Steve that while his analysis looks good on paper, Steve will never be able to borrow at 8%, but would have to pay a more realistic rate of 12%.If Mike is right, what will Steve's payout be?